By Robin Wiley
So Pastor Parker’s message these past two Sundays has centered on forgiveness. His subtle stories put into plain view how precious of a commodity forgiveness is and also how difficult it is might be for some of us to obtain or even offer. We all deserve forgiveness. Praise God His grace covers that for us over and over again through His sweet son, Jesus.
Last year in this devotional spot, I highlighted a series of my Dad’s poems he gave to me over the years when he was alive. This poem from my Dad’s collection was one he penned to his longtime friend and retired pastor from our old church (“The Little Brown Church on the Hill”) in Battle Lake, MN, Dick Grenell. He has long since retired now (not sure if he is even still with us) but both Dick and my Dad were very much the same type of person when it came to being opinionated about things. Things being – understanding the Bible, farming, music, preaching, you name it, no topic was off the table between them.
There certainly was, however, a level of reciprocity, mutual respect, and affection between them which bonded their friendship but when they disagreed, which seemed to happen a lot, they would not speak to each other for days, even weeks.
Has that ever happened to you?
I hated those times because that meant my younger sister and I could not go over to their farm in Barratt, MN where we would play with their youngest daughter, Carol. She had horses, and we loved riding horses on their farm. Plus, they had so many cool places to explore on their farm as opposed to our farm, which after living there many years, were all explored out.
I do recall an argument they had that was very heated, and Dick refused to speak to my Dad again, whether by phone or in person. I do not remember what the fight was about – but it did cut very deeply into their friendship. I remember Del was bothered by it and mentioned it a few times to my Mom. I am not certain, but I would guess it might have been the argument that led Dad to writing this poem to his friend Dick.
The poem reminds me of Colossians 3:13 (ESV) on forgiveness:
“Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
And also Ephesians 4:31-32 on putting away negative feelings and behaviors:
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
So many wonderful truths found in the pages of our sacred Bible on what a friendship is all about. Because we are ALL “friends” of God – so no matter what the disagreement with a friend, spouse or loved one might be – asking for forgiveness is the key to moving forward.
“To My Friend Dick”
By Del Korf
Sure, we’ve had our differences
Though we didn’t argue ‘nose to nose.’
We both had sense enough to know
It kept us on ‘our toes.’
We also learned that age-old lesson
Just stop, and smell the rose.
It’s not good to rush into things,
Nor stall around for time
To think things over for awhile
And hope things will always ‘rhyme.’
If we would set our hearts aright
And would see things ‘eye to eye’
Eventually things would straighten out
And let the sleeping ‘doggies lie.’
This little rhyme from me to you
Is an apology from me.
I hope you will accept it
For now I clearly see,
I was the obnoxious one
Who was an over zealous pest
I always spoke up out of turn
And gave you little rest.
So now I hope that you will find
A much forgiving heart,
And let bygones be just that,
So we’ll have a brand new start!
Prayer:
Father God: It is your plan that we be in harmony with you and with each other. Sometimes that is hard to do. Please forgive me when I fall short in this area, and help me to forgive myself and others who might have hurt me. Teach me your strength and patience to be a better person to those around me in my life. In the name of the One Most High – Amen!