I've been thinking a lot about forgiveness. I have a personal challenge in this area I've been working on, and I'll be working on it for a while I suspect.
I guess this is one of the things that is on my mind. My grandchild accidentally breaks a dish and their little face is stricken with such distress. It is so easy to forgive that mistake; there isn't really anything to forgive because that child is far more precious than any item I own and their judgement is not fully formed and well.....it just is so easy to give them a big hug and assure them that they are as loved and accepted as ever. After everyone is calmed down we may have a teaching opportunity, but the forgiving part is just so easy.
But when bigger problems arise I expect imperfect, broken, damaged, human folks to get it right and not cause me any grief, even though I know I am causing harm even now in ways I don't understand...a harsh word here and an emotional withdrawal there. I can argue in my head (and that is usually a sign I'm being stubborn about something) that the flub was "intentional" even though I think that is often not true, or that "they should have known that would upset me" even though I know I can't always anticipate the pain an act or words of mine evoke, or that "it is just not fair", but then what is?
So this is my prayer today:
Lord, release my pain, my fear, my habit of being angry about life's bumps and boo-boos. Help me to be far more concerned with the needs of others than the times when folks have disappointed me. Some things are truly a big deal and require more work and longer timelines, but today help me sweep away the little annoyances that cause pain for me and for those I love far in excess of the actual errors involved. AMEN
I guess this is one of the things that is on my mind. My grandchild accidentally breaks a dish and their little face is stricken with such distress. It is so easy to forgive that mistake; there isn't really anything to forgive because that child is far more precious than any item I own and their judgement is not fully formed and well.....it just is so easy to give them a big hug and assure them that they are as loved and accepted as ever. After everyone is calmed down we may have a teaching opportunity, but the forgiving part is just so easy.
But when bigger problems arise I expect imperfect, broken, damaged, human folks to get it right and not cause me any grief, even though I know I am causing harm even now in ways I don't understand...a harsh word here and an emotional withdrawal there. I can argue in my head (and that is usually a sign I'm being stubborn about something) that the flub was "intentional" even though I think that is often not true, or that "they should have known that would upset me" even though I know I can't always anticipate the pain an act or words of mine evoke, or that "it is just not fair", but then what is?
So this is my prayer today:
Lord, release my pain, my fear, my habit of being angry about life's bumps and boo-boos. Help me to be far more concerned with the needs of others than the times when folks have disappointed me. Some things are truly a big deal and require more work and longer timelines, but today help me sweep away the little annoyances that cause pain for me and for those I love far in excess of the actual errors involved. AMEN
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