Forgiveness

    Forgiveness is one of the many things Christians are told to do, but have a hard
time following through with. A lot of times when you ask for forgiveness, the other
person has no clue what your talking about, or shrugs it off as no big deal.
    There are other times, that we have really done something hurtful and we don't
even realize it. I remember, I'm going to show my age here, when my Dad and I
went to our local store to buy some groceries. While we were wondering around
I snatched some penny candy and was eating it as we walked thru the store. My
Dad noticed me dropping the wrapping on the floor as we walked and asked me,
what was in my mouth. I told my Dad what I had done, and instantly we stopped
shopping.
    My Dad asked to speak to the owner, who also happened to be a friend of ours,
so we waited for a little bit. I was getting more nervous by the second, wondering
what was going to happen, when I told this man, I stole some candy. My Dad told
me that whatever Mr. Temple wanted for me to do to make it right I would have to
do. I didn't know what they did with ten year olds that broke the law, but I knew
it probably had something to do with police cars and bars.
    When Mr. Temple called us up to his office, it was one of those open offices
built above the store shelves for security, he had us sit down, then said, "George,
what can I do for you." My Dad told him I had stolen some penny candy and been
eating it and dropping wrappers on the floor.
    Mr. Temple pulled his glasses down on his nose, and said, "Bill, did you steal
some of my penny candy." I was blubbering something about it would never happen
again and I was sure sorry. Mr. Temple looked at my Dad and asked him what we
should do about this. My Dad told Mr. Temple, whatever you want to do he'll do.
    Mr. Temple told my Dad and I to follow him, so we followed him to the back of
the store. Mr. Temple handed me one of those two foot dust mops, at ten it looked
huge. Mr. Temple had me push it up and down every aisle in the store, then my Dad
helped me sweep it into a dust pan and throw it away.
    When we were done, we went back up to see Mr. Temple, I had to promise it
would never happen again. Then I got to go home and had to explain it to Mom.
Mom and Dad decided to ground me for a few days.
    That was how my Dad taught me about forgiveness, even though you are for-
given, there are still the consequences of your actions to pay. When we ask others
to forgive us, sometimes amends have to be taken care of. Sometimes when we ask
God to forgive us, God will always forgive, but what has been set in motion by
our sin, still carries consequences.