Forgiveness. A while ago, I read in my daily devotional about how special the name of God is and that we should always speak His name with reverence. This is something that as youth I failed to do, but now try very hard to follow, although I am not always successful. In doing so, it has become painful for me to listen to others speak lightly of His name. I think of how we cherish our own names (we would never refer to ourselves as "i"), and wonder how the Creator of the Universe feels when we take His name in vain. It must pain Him greatly, yet we continue to pepper our language in anger, in jest and even in just plain ignorance with derivatives of His name.
One day not long ago, I was in the gym locker room, and could no longer stand the casual use of His name. It seemed to come at me from every angle until my ears were ringing, so I decided to say something to one of the women who was speaking. I did in so as gently as possible, yet she was quite affronted. This bothered me for weeks. Every time I saw her at the gym, I wanted to apologize, not for my words, but my manner. I was afraid that I had ruined her day, and that perhaps she paid forward my impertinence. Today, however, I finally had my opportunity. I explained to her the situation, apologized to her fully and asked her forgiveness. She was very kind, and understanding and now a great weight has been lifted off my heart. Perhaps, too, a little of my "faith" in humanity has been restored. Forgiveness. One of God's great gifts to us. Something we can do for one another.
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