Forgiveness, A Hard Pill To Swallow

I thought I was a pretty forgiving person. I mean, I taught first grade at a Christian school and forgiving was the mantra I taught, and taught, and taught. I know what it means and I know how to do it. I know Bible verses to pull out at a moment’s notice to reinforce this character quality:

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them,
so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins ... Mark 11:25

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you,
your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ... Matthew 6:14

But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. ... Matthew 6:15

Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. ... Luke 11:4

But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive you ... Mark 11:26

Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are
doing."  ... Luke 23:434

Oh yeah, I can deliver the forgiveness speech. And I know that a teacher is accountable to lead by life not just by instruction.

I found out, though, that I'm not as forgiving as I thought I was. I found out that when my expectations of promises given fail I tend to be pretty unforgiving, especially if it was promised to me.

Some of the promises given to the American public by our president in regard to our health insurance have failed utterly. I’m not president bashing because he went on national TV and apologized for the parts of the promise he couldn't deliver. And, of course, it was the parts of the plan that detrimentally affected me and my future health care.

 My first thought was, “Oh yeah, you can apologize all you want too but it doesn't fix my problem.” And then the Holy Spirit’s conviction bashed me. What makes this man asking forgiveness any different than any other person asking me to forgive them? Nothing. Just because it is done through the air waves and directed to the general population doesn't mean I should treat his apology differently. It doesn't matter his motives or agenda or genuineness, he apologized and now God is looking at my response.

Through gritted teeth I muttered, “OK, I forgive him.” But the Holy Spirit bashed me again. I reviewed the above verses in my mind and realized that muttering through gritted teeth is not the way I want God to forgive me.

I’m eating a lot of American apple humble pie right now.

And all of this health care reform has become a great spiritual lesson for me.

Hey, that is a beneficial by-product I hadn't counted on.

Forgiveness is a hard pill to swallow but it is fully covered by my heavenly insurance.