The Sore Toe

 

 

"Forgive and forget? Fat Chance!"

 

 

A few weeks ago I had an ingrown toenail which infected my big toe. It was very painful to say the least. My neighbor had come over to borrow a tool. As we were going downstairs to get the tool, he stepped on my sore toe. I screamed out in pain and then called him an ugly name. He said he was sorry, but I did not believe him, and it sure did not accept his apology. He left with neither of us saying goodbye and maybe we will never speak again. That is fine with me, because what he did out of carelessness, is beyond forgiveness.

 

Okay - the only thing which is true from this story is I did have an infected toe. The rest I made up just to make a point. How many times do we hold things which we should not? How many times do we let another's transgression, intentional or otherwise, turn into a seething or hatred? How many times do we choose not to forgive just because, well, just because.

 

It has often been said that hatred is the battery acid of the heart. Often times, an unforgiven act can manifest itself into a feeling of ill will, or even hatred. A big problem is this - hate is a reverse emotion. Hate affects the "hater" much more than the "hated". Hate and  a lack of forgiveness can eat you up on the inside, even leading to psychosomatic illnesses.

 

The Holy Bible is very wise on the issue of forgiveness. When someone asked Jesus how often we should forgive, He replied "70 x 7". Before you think "only 490 times?", remember this. With the math skills 2,000 years ago, 70 x 7 might as well be infinity. That was the point. There is no limit on how much we should forgive.

 

The Lords Prayer also has a message on the importance of forgiveness. "Forgive us our trespasses (sins) AS we forgive others". Not "because", not "if", but "as". As we forgive, we are forgiven.

 

During this season of Lent, especially during Holy Week, what a wonderful time to empty our hearts of unwanted baggage. The freedom one feels upon forgiveness is a gift we can give ourselves. If you need forgiveness, ask for it. If you need to forgive, do it. Most of all, if you need to forgive yourself for something long overdue, do it now. To hold it in, to not release it, will bother you much more than a sore toe. What a great and blessed way to celebrate Easter!