It
is in pardoning that we are pardoned
“You can’t talk yourself out of a
problem that you have behaved yourself into.” Steven M.R. Covey
“Pardon me… I’m so sorry… Excuse me… Pardon me…” As I work my way through the crowd, I
mutter these words, just as I was taught. I rarely wait for the words of
forgiveness from those I have bumped into; I just keep moving forward.
How many
times have I asked for forgiveness? How many times have I redeemed my “Get Out
of Jail Free” card? Did I acknowledge the forgiveness that was granted me? Did
I acknowledge the value of redemption? Usually not – I just assumed that I am
forgiven my little transgression.
And
then there are those times when the pardon doesn’t come so easily. I didn’t
listen effectively and missed an important tidbit of information, prompting the
other person to complain about my inattentiveness. I say, “I’m sorry” and try
to explain, but the anger persists. It is choice time: I could engage in an
argument and let it escalate. I could repeat the couple of words that I did
hear, and ask for her to complete her thought. I could ask for forgiveness
again, repeating and re-repeating, “I’m sorry.” I could just let it go and
later resume civil conversation. I could slide into a sullen, poor-me, big blue
funk. I usually ask for her to repeat what she said, taking the blame for my
absent-mindedness and trusting that both of us will be graced with words of
wisdom, discernment, and forgiveness.
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