Burnt Boiled Eggs and the Power of Forgiveness: A Christian Reflection on Memory and Grace
The Smell from the Kitchen: A Forgotten Moment
Burnt boiled eggs! That was the cause of the smell wafting through the house from the kitchen. The pan had been filled with water, two eggs were gently placed inside, and the stove was turned on. As the minutes passed, the rising heat did its job—but the eggs were forgotten.
Soon, the smell of something burning filled the air, prompting a sudden realization. The eggs! By the time someone returned to the kitchen, their once brown shells had turned black. They were charred, inedible, and ruined. But in their burnt state, they served as a gentle reminder: it’s easy to forget.
We’ve all experienced moments like this—forgetting to turn something off or failing to turn something on when it mattered. Forgetfulness is a part of being human.
Christ's Perfect Memory—and His Selective Forgetfulness
One of the greatest blessings we have in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is His perfect memory. He remembers when you were broken and crying out for help. He remembers when you laughed so hard it hurt, watching a silly little dog play with your grandchild in a muddy puddle.
Yes, Jesus remembers many things—but not everything. And that truth can be difficult for us to accept.
Christ has the incredible ability to forgive—and to forget.
Isaiah 43:25 says it plainly:
"I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for My own sake, and remembers your sins no more."
Why Would God Choose to Forget?
It’s fascinating that God chooses to forget our sins—not for our sake, but for His own. There's a powerful message in that. As humans, we often say things like, “I’ll forgive, but I won’t forget.” But if we don’t forget, have we truly forgiven?
We may convince ourselves that we're being noble by carrying the pain. Some even say, “I’ll forgive them, but I’ll take the hurt to my grave.” Is that true forgiveness? Or are we simply wrapping unforgiveness in spiritual language?
Learning to Forgive—and Forget
If we want to follow Christ’s example, we need to strive toward forgiving fully. True forgiveness includes letting go—mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. We need to bury even the memory of how we were wronged. Only then do we begin to experience true freedom in Christ.
Let the smell of burnt eggs remind you not just of forgotten tasks but of how Christ has forgotten your sins—and how you are called to forgive others the same way.