Our “homework” this week in the Starting Point series is to reconcile with someone for which it is long overdue. Tell me again why we are doing Starting Point? I was the guy that told everyone when we launched this thing that they were to take the homework seriously. I’d sure like to take that statement back this week.
When I read that assignment aloud, the truth is that someone came immediately to my mind. It’s now 3 days later and I have yet to make that call or send that email. Why is that so hard? Why, when we have been shown grace beyond measure, is it so hard to pay that forgiveness forward? I wish I had the answer.
I’ve always been one to procrastinate so I guess this is nothing new. Maybe, before this week is up, I will have done what I need to do. I’d hate to do what I did so famously in college and wait until the night before.
Sometimes we lose our way, we don’t say things we should say.
We hold on to stubborn pride when we should put it all aside.
To waste the time we’re given seems so senseless.
When one little word shouldn’t be so hard….forgiveness.
“Forgiveness” by Jim Witter
Call… Call… Call… please don’t email. Write a letter if you want, but don’t send it… just call and read it at the very least.
p.s. – you can do it. It’s worth it. burden’s you forgot you had will be lifted.
p.p.s. – Nice tribely layout
So if I discussed my forgiveness with my group and some co-workers including my boss and now feel better does that count? I guess I really have nothing to forgive but the fact that I can’t deal with him. Is that something to forgive?
Forgiving or asking for forgiveness can be very difficult. Yet, once done, is very cleansing and brings a sense of peace. Aaron, you’re like me in that music speaks to us so clearly. So, I’ll pass this along from the great Don Henley.
Even though it;s about a lost love, some of the lines just really speak out.
“Forgiveness”
I got the call today, I didnt wanna hear
But I knew that it would come
An old, true friend of ours was talkin on the phone
She said you’d found someone
And I thought of all the bad luck,
And the struggles we went through
And how I lost me and you lost you
What are these voices outside loves open door
Make us throw off our contentment
And beg for something more?
Im learning to live without you now
But I miss you sometimes
The more I know, the less I understand
All the things I thought I knew, Im learning again
Ive been tryin to get down
To the heart of the matter
But my will gets weak
And my thoughts seem to scatter
But I think its about forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if, even if you dont love me anymore
These times are so uncertain
Theres a yearning undefined
And people filled with rage
We all need a little tenderness
How can love survive in such a graceless age?
The trust and self-assurance that lead to happiness
They’re the very things – we kill I guess
Pride and competition
Cannot fill these empty arms
And the work I put between us
You know it doesnt keep me warm
Im learning to live without you now
But I miss you, baby
And the more I know, the less I understand
All the things I thought I’d figured out
I have to learn again
Ive been trying to get down
To the heart of the matter
But everything changes
And my friends seem to scatter
But I think its about forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if, even if you don’t love me anymore
There are people in your life who’ve come and gone
They let you down you know they hurt your pride
You better put it all behind you baby; life goes on
You keep carryin that anger; itll eat you up inside, baby
Ive been trying to get down
To the heart of the matter
But my will gets weak
And my thought seem to scatter
But I think its about forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if, even if you dont love me
Ive been tryin to get down
To the heart of the matter
Because the flesh will get weak
And the ashes will scatter
So Im thinkin about forgiveness
Forgiveness
Jeremy – agreed on the calling vs. emailing. It’s just easier with email. No one said it would be easy though.
Brian – with the story you told us the other night, it sounds like you have done what you can.
David – My music brother! Great choice. Don Henley can bring it can’t he? Agreed that this song can carry multiple meaning.
“You keep carrying that anger, it’ll eat you up inside”