“and at the Festivus party, you gather your family around and tell them all the ways they have disappointed you over the years!” -Frank Costanza
We’ve all been there. Maybe it was a parent, a spouse, or a “discussion” with your children. At some point in an argument “the list” comes up. It’s that mental list of things we keep of wrongs performed against us. It is a running list that, when the time is right, is unleashed against the person we are arguing with. It is usually introduced with the words “and another thing”. According to Paul in 1 Corinthians 13, if we love, “the list” doesn’t exist.
“it keeps no record of wrongs”
This is another tough one for me. It is my nature to mentally catalog “wrongs” as they occur and simmer on them for a bit. Even the little things go on the list and the longer they sit there, the bigger they become. When the reading of the list finally occurs, it can get ugly. It is usually hurtful and according to Paul, love doesn’t do that. Love doesn’t keep the record. Love walks away and allows grace for the wrong. Love expresses the issue at the moment and forgets it ever happened. It keeps no record of wrongs.
Another option is to celebrate Festivus and have the annual “airing of grievances”…..
AARON CONRAD 