Forgiveness is an Action

Think about this.  What do you do when that little old lady darts across 3 lanes of traffic, causing you to slam on your brakes, just so she doesn't miss her turn?  Or that inconsiderate jerk, uhhhh i mean 'gentleman', that darts past you JUST before you reach the finish line of the half-marathon you just completed?  Or the little kid that just dropped ice cream on your shoe?  Do you stay angry at them for the rest of your life?  Do you put a time limit on how long it will be before you forgive them?

In all three of these situations, these people didn't intentionally do anything to you personally.  They just weren't thinking about what they were doing or how it would affect the others around them.  So, what if they NEVER apologize?  Is that a reason NOT to forgive them?  EVER?

This is how i came to the thought about forgiveness being an action.  It seems that a lot of people think you only forgive once the offending person apologizes, or shows remorse, contrition, etc.... I'm sure you've had people in your life who you felt like hurt, or offended, you in some way and yet has never owned up to it?

i'm curious.  Did you forgive them?  If not, will you be able to if they never admit it?

Maybe i'm wrong (which i've been known to be), but from what i understand in my reading the Bible is that Forgiveness doesn't come with a price tag, nor does it come with a debt.  In addition, aside from the forty years where God let the Israelites roam the deserts for 40 years, i haven't seen any indication that Forgiveness is based on a time-table.  What i mean is that if someone offended you for over a 12 month period that it should take 12 months of good behavior before you are to forgive them.  Does that make sense?

To me, to Forgive is simply that.  To Forgive.  And THAT sounds like a action to me.  Not a reaction.

Now, because i ain't always so good at that, it's time for me to go out and practice what i preach.

laters.

I Ain't NO Supermodel!

That title comes as a shock to you doesn't it?  I KNOW!  RIGHT????

Well, it's true, so after you get over the initial shock and catch your breath, read on.

But, i am a model....to my family and my friends.  Now, before you fall out of your chair laughing, let me explain. While there's absolutely NOTHING that Mr. J, Ms. J or even the ever-amazing Tyra Banks can do for this physique carved out of jello and a profile resembling that of the Sphynx (as it looks today), i'm NOT talking about modeling in the sense of fashion design and photgraphy.  I'm talking about the kind of modeling i feel God calls on us ALL to do.

I feel it's my responsibility to model Compassion, Grace, Humility, Kindness and, yes, even that "F" word, Forgiveness.  How i call on my family, or tell my friends, how they should exhibit these qualities (and all those that go along with them) unless i first model them in my own actions?  It's get back to that "walking the talk" adage. i HAVE to do it before i can ask others to do it, right?

Do i suck at it sometimes?  Oh my gosh, YES!!!  Am i perfect in doing it?  Positively, NO!!!  But that shouldn't ever keep me from trying over and over and over and (see where i'm going here?) over again, right?

Fortunately, i've had these qualities, and SO MUCH more, modeled for me many times over the last 2000+ years. Every time i pick up the Bible and read through sections of the New Testament, i see time and time again the type of "Model" i'm supposed to be in front of my family, my friends, my co-workers and mostly, God (notice i didn't say "my" God).  When i see the compassion and love that Jesus showed others, i'm in complete awe.  Most often, i'm speechless as i come to the realization of just how far short i fall of ever being matched up to His life.  But that's never going to keep me from trying.

So, all i ask is that if, actually WHEN, you see me fail at "modeling" these characteristics towards you or those around me, i just ask you to remember that i'm a "work in progress", okay?  I mean, when you really think about it, aren't we all?



laters.