70 X 7

Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?”  Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times." (Matthew 18: 21-22)

Long ago, before I arrived at my current and first call, this church suffered a terrible schism.  I doubt that there has ever been a GOOD schism, but this one was particularly bad.

Our church was one of the first to split over the proposal to ordain gay people as church officers.  The pastor at that time - and many in the church - strongly disagreed with this, and began to make plans to leave our denomination.  Much was said, done, written, and ultimately forgotten.  And more than ten years later, our church survives with good ministry and faithful people,  But it is at least 1/5 the size that it used to be before the schism.

In the years since I've been here, I have held people as they grieved, cried, and shouted about what happened.  I tried to meet the pastor who was involved in the original problems - which did not work out for either of us.  I ignored snide remarks from other pastors in this immediate area and instead reached out to others who became my sisters and brothers in faith.  I also ignored so-called well-meaning remarks from people in my own presbytery who told me to my face that I had NO business coming to this church for my first call.

It's been quite a load to carry.  I am tired.  I think I'll put it down.

When it comes to dealing with the old hurts from the schism, I am claiming the Scripture verse above from this time forward and forever.

When it comes to helping this church move forward and begin to try some brand new ideas, I am claiming the Scripture again because sometimes I think the past holds us back.

When it comes to helping other churches who experience similar things to ours, I will show them the value and the strength and especially the peace of mind in claiming the Scripture above.

Carrying a grudge is exhausting.

I think I'll put it down.

I have other things I'd rather carry!

Amen!

She Didn't Remember...

Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. [Matthew 18: 21-22]

A while back, I was going into a store, when I met a woman coming out of the same store.  We both looked up at the same time, and we both recognized each other.  I immediately knew who she was and how I knew her, but she only knew that we had worked together a long time ago; she didn't exactly remember who I was.  I introduced myself and reminded her that we had worked together at one of the elementary school where I had taught.  

From there, we just chatted about how our lives were going, what we were currently doing, and what we had done since we worked together.  It was a very pleasant few minutes, then we shook hands, wished each other well, and went our separate ways.

I couldn't believe it...she didn't really remember me!

The reason I was so stunned was that she was the only person who had ever given me a poor evaluation in my 29 years of teaching.  I was REALLY upset when I received that evaluation, and so was my principal.  But nothing could be done about it; that was the only year I taught in which I didn't receive an excellent rating.  Because of her poor evaluation, it didn't matter how highly my principal rated me.  

Yet...the more I thought about it, the more I remembered a time or two when I ran into this woman in other places, usually the administration building or at some big school district meeting.  Each time I did, we always greeted each other politely and chatted a little.

But it has been a long LONG time since that poor evaluation.  And I think she had forgotten.  And maybe it was time for me to do so too.

Carrying around an old injury, slight, or sin is a STUPID way for anyone to live, especially someone who was taught by the Master to forgive someone who sins against you 77 times.

Hopefully, I am on my way to doing so.  I should start counting soon...

Amen!