Reflections on forgiveness

Our lives are like a roof.

The clubhouse didn’t look like it needed a new roof. Some asked why are we spending the money. That money could be spent on other things that we need much worse than a new roof. We signed the contract. When the perfectly good shingles came off it was discovered that much of the plywood along the section under the trees was rotten. They even had to rebuild one of the trusses that was starting to rot away. The roof looked great, but looks can be deceiving. The perfectly good shingles were covering some potentially damaging problems.

Our lives are like a roof.

Deep in the inner workings of our soul damage could be lurking, eating away at the fabric of our heart, taking away a little at a time the structure of our spirit. The rotten portions are called negative feelings. Oh, I am sure that each of us has legitimate reasons for our feelings. We were treated badly … even with meanness. They made our life a living hell. They were unfair. There were hurtful words said. We were taken advantage of, mistreated, abused. We earned the right to be angry, to hold the grudge. We don’t want to see them, be in the same building or even be anywhere near them. And the negative feelings simply eat away at the fabric of our heart and destroys the structure of our spirit a little at a time.

Our lives are like a roof … and negative feelings are destructive. The outward appearance might appear to be good, but little by little a negative thought here and a negative thought there begins to destroy us internally. We do not become aware of the destruction until it is too late. Heart problems. Cancer. Emotional and mental illnesses. Addictive dependency on drugs or alcohol. The structure of our spirit is destroyed. The physical damage has been done. All because we allowed a negative thought to be harbored within the core of our being.

Peter came to Jesus with a question about forgiveness (Matthew 18). "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother (and sister) when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Peter wasn’t prepared to hear Jesus’ answer nor are we … “Not seven times, but seventy-seven times” or unlimited forgiveness. But Lord, you don’t really know what they did to me! Lord, you don’t understand how much it hurt me. Lord, did you hear what they said about me? And the Lord said, “But I do know and I did hear. My instructions have not changed. And, by the way, you are speaking to the individual who hung upon a Roman cross, nailed there by mean spirited, hate-filled individuals. In other words, forgive them and move on.” And in the background there echoed his words from that cross, “Father, forgive them for they know not …”

Forgiveness doesn’t mean that you have to invite them over for drinks and dinner. Nor go out of your way to socialize with them. Forgiveness doesn’t mean that they have to accept the responsibility of their action. Forgiveness doesn’t mean that they have to acknowledge your forgiveness. They don’t have to apology, say they are sorry, try to undo what they have done. But forgiveness … well, yes, that is a requirement for healthy living … and it is hard, extremely hard … but it is your “roof”.

Our lives are like a roof … it might appear to be in good shape, but the damage is taking place under the outward appearance. Allow it to go un-repaired and it will come tumbling down around you. Or, take preventive action (i.e. forgiveness) and get on with healthy and wholesome living. After all … it is your “roof”.

The world is filled with individuals who are simply waiting to be forgiven as illustrated in this little story from the small magazine “Bits and Pieces” … There's a Spanish story of a father and son who had become estranged. The son ran away, and the father set off to find him. He searched for months to no avail. Finally, in a last desperate effort to find him, the father put an ad in a Madrid newspaper. The ad read: Dear Paco, meet me in front of this newspaper office at noon on Saturday. All is forgiven. I love you. Your Father. On Saturday 800 Pacos showed up, looking for forgiveness and love from their fathers.

Quote for today: Forgiveness is a funny thing; it warms the heart and cools the sting. ~William A. Ward