The long weekend is over (Labor Day) and I’m back! I know that just has you jumping for joy!! 🙂 I had a nice weekend. Relaxing. A great meal with friends on Saturday (since we “rained out” for a bike ride. In quotes because it never rained like they said it was supposed to). So, I rode 21+ miles yesterday with Ryan S. instead of Saturday. (It is the longest I have ridden since my surgery on June 14th). Then, he went home and rode 30+ more. He da man! I remember when I used to do those kinds of things. These 70 year old legs would protest that kind of feat these days and wouldn’t think of doing something like that…unless I don’t want to move the next day…and the next…and the next. 🙂
Okay, now for the devotion based on The Trail by Ed Underwood. Before I give you Principle #5, which will include a recap of the first 4 principles, I want to take a side road based on #4. #5 will come tomorrow.
When we talk about intimacy, I think one of the hardest things to do is to be honest. My mate must feel safe (enfolded if I may use that word) in a cloak of warmth and protection and security that comes from me. After being a pastor for about 50 years, I have seen precious few marriages where safety and security were evident. If you have one, you are blessed.
With that intimacy comes the ability to forgive. No marriage is perfect because no person is perfect. Intimacy is a rare commodity anyway, but when the inability to forgive crops up…forget it!! I have seen marriages blow up over the littlest thing which became a great thing all because of the inability to forgive. Big or small offense, forgiveness is not an option. Someone has said, “To err is human; to forgive divine.” It seems like I have heard something on the order of “We are most like beasts when we sin; we are most like God when we forgive.” (If not, I lay claim to that! 🙂 ) Whether I heard it or made it up, it is true.
So before I move on to Principle #5, let’s make a stand right here right now to forgive others-from the smallest to the largest offense. It starts with us, whether there is an apology or not.
I don’t remember there being an apology when Someone I want to model said, “Father, forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing.”
Good Morning, Bill. First of all, I’m glad you are back safe and sound. And so happy to hear you rode as many miles as you did. Phew! I’m sweating just thinking about it. LOL. And, Ryan, well, I don’t think you’re human. LOL…
Great post. I’ve been annoyed with someone for the last couple of days. I chose to forgive him. Thanks Bill!
Thanks Diane. Last night I was regretting the old leg syndrome. 🙂 And yeah, Ryan is not human. I’m glad you have chosen to forgive. No sense in being someone’s slave.
Human, just maybe not right in the head sometimes 🙂 Though, I recovered well… No residual ache after the ride(s) yesterday or this morning, so there is that!
I can’t agree with you more regarding forgiveness being related to intimacy. I have seen a fair share of marriages myself that have come and gone due to the lack of forgiveness. I suspect the underlying issue was the lack of intimacy as you indicate.
I will go on to say… being able to say you forgive and truly forgive within the heart are two different things. Wanting to forgive and being able to forgive are also to different things. I think these also are tied to our relationship and intimacy with God. It is difficult to reflect the attitude and actions of Christ when you are not close to Him… The closer you stand to the mirror, the more accurate and close is the reflection… I think the same is true with Jesus.
Thanks again for the ride, Bill, enjoyed it greatly!
I’ll reserve comment about not being right in the head. You are younger than me and a black belt. I wear one. 🙂 You have hit on the line in the sand, so to speak, Ryan. Saying I forgive and really forgiving is a challenge which needs embraced. In some cases, overcome. Thanks for pointing it out. And ditto on the ride.
When you won’t forgive others, you’re only hurting yourself . . .
And when it comes to exercise these days, I’m feeling like the old grey mare, Bill, that’s for sure. Yet, I’m grateful to still be able to move around with some confidence due to all the physical therapy I’ve been doing. I’ll never be a spring chicken again, but that simply can’t be helped. 🙂
Blessings!
Agreed on hurting oneself Martha. We become a slave and prisoner to our emotions and the other person. I’m never going to be a spring chicken again either Martha but I do want to stay somewhat limber. 🙂