The Grudge

            George Washington was a great man, but he was not perfect. In 1798, he allowed himself to be swayed by Alexander Hamilton into taking command of the United States Armed Forces. (Washington was concerned about a potential French invasion.)

            John Adams was president, and you might imagine how difficult it was for him to give up his role as commander in chief. He resented the fact that members of his cabinet had been working behind the scenes against him, and that Washington allowed himself to be involved in the process. Because of this, historian Joseph Ellis wrote, “… Adams, who believed that holding grudges was a measure of personal integrity, never forgave him….”

            John Adams’ reason for maintaining a grudge is a common one. He (and those like him) mistakenly believed that holding a grudge is a  badge of honor. Sadly, this idea is mistaken. Holding a grudge is a sign of self-righteousness.

Never Ask For Justice

            Legend has it a maiden approached Napoleon begging that he spare the life of her father, who had been a deserter and had been condemned for execution.             

             Napoleon frowned and answered, “He has already twice deserted and do you ask for his life?”

            “Sir,” she replied, “I do not ask for justice but, for mercy.”

            Napoleon granted her plea.

            Who are we to ask God for justice? 

Who Was That?

An old story goes like this:

            After putting her grandchildren to bed, a grandmother changed into her old slacks and a droopy blouse and proceeded to wash her hair.

            As she heard the children getting more and more rambunctious, her patience grew thin.  At last she threw a towel around her neck and stormed into their room, putting them back to bed with stern warnings.

            As she left the room, she heard the 3-year old say with a trembling voice, “Who was that?”

            Some people imagine God speaking in the same tone as that grandmother, when he talks with Adam and Eve in Genesis three, after the Fall. I envision a God who is clearly in charge, yes, but also very merciful. Nothing more awful could have occurred than Adam and Eve remaining alive forever in their fallen state. God’s consequences, if you check, also bring ultimate redemption.

Back Taxes

I read in WORLD magazine this week something that made me crack up. Aaron Zeff was sitting in his office, when two dark-suited men approached.

Aaron owns a car wash business in Sacramento California. The two men were IRS agents. They were there to collect delinquent taxes. Hearing this, Aaron’s heart sank. However, fear turned to mirth when he opened the agents’ envelope. Inside was his tax bill the agents had come to collect – the grand total was four cents.

I laughed until I thought about Jesus’ story of the unmerciful servant in Matthew 18. In spite of God’s forgiveness, how often do I hunt somebody down to pay the "four cents" he owes me?

Remember the slogan, "More Taste--Less Filling"?

" Maybe ours should be, "Less Bitterness--More Forgiveness!"