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{SFTH} *Grudges and Forgiveness* 8/17/01
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GRUDGES AND FORGIVENESS
by Joe Seay
It was a beautiful spring day for softball practice and
our church team was excited about our first practice.
I was the player-coach and shared their enthusiasm.
As the players arrived, I suggested that they start the
practice session at the same position they played last
season. Jack, who played second base last, year, didn't
show up so I assigned a new rookie to play his position.
We enjoyed throwing the ball around and then started
a practice game. During the second inning of the
practice game Jack showed up, walked over to second
base and told the rookie that he would take over now.
The rookie, a younger man excited about getting to play,
responded that I had asked him to play second and refused
to leave. Jack walked over to me and said, "I've played
second base for three years. Are you replacing me?"
"No," I explained, "but you were not here so I asked the
new guy to play second for a while."
"I'm here now and ready to take over," he said in a
determined manner.
As coach, I made the decision to leave the rookie at
second for a while and told Jack he could resume his
position a little later in the game. It seemed like a logical
plan since Jack arrived late and I had already asked the
rookie to play second. Jack's feelings were hurt and he
demanded that I put him in the game at second
base immediately.
I assured him that I would put him at second base
after a couple of innings, but he became angry and
shouted at me, "Just kick me off the team because
I'm a few minutes late!"
We glared at each other, then he walked off in a huff.
"I've had it! I quit!" he shouted back at me.
Jack and I had been good friends for a long time. I was
disappointed over this incident but I assumed it would
blow over and be forgotten in a few days.
I was wrong. It didn't. Jack avoided me at church. His
ego was wounded.
But so was mine. It seemed to me that the fault was
all on his side, not mine. After all, he was the one who
started the trouble.
As the days went by, nothing changed. It seemed
that our friendship was over. I could live with that if it
was the way he wanted it. It's his problem, I thought, not mine.
A few days later I read in my Bible that if we do not
forgive people who offend us, God will not forgive us.
The words pricked my conscience and I read it again.
It read the same.
And I thought of Jack.
Reading further, I found that God expects us to forgive
many, many times.
And I thought of Jack again.
The next Sunday at church I saw Jack coming down
the hall towards me. He saw me at about the same
time and looked away. Stepping directly in front of
him, I said, "Jack, I want to apologize to you for the
way I acted at softball practice. Will you forgive me?"
I offered him my hand.
He looked at me without a smile and ignored
my hand.
People were watching us.
Jack still refused to respond.
Oh well, I tried. Now it's us to him.
Then someone seemed to whisper in my ear, "How many
times should we forgive others?"
And the answer was very clear: "Seventy times seven."
I breathed a quick prayer and tried again. "Please
forgive me, I want to be your friend again."
Jack pushed my hand away...then smiled and gave
me a big hug. He said, "It's okay, Joe."
We were friends again and it felt good. No hard
feelings. No guilty conscience. Soon Jack was playing
second base again. He was his old self.
Our team had a good record that year. It looked like
we would make the playoffs.
A few days before the playoffs were to start, I received
a call from Jack's wife. He had a terrible headache
and had to miss a game.
The next day they put him in the hospital for tests.
The doctors discovered a major blood vessel had burst
in his head. It was inoperable. Jack was
bleeding to death.
I saw Jack one more time. He was laying in his
hospital bed, dazed and weak. "Joe," he said in a
squeaky whisper, "hold my position for me. I'll be there
in time for the playoffs."
I assured him that his position on the team was
secure and we shared one last smile.
Our team didn't make the playoffs that year, after
all, but I know that Jack is playing on a much bigger
and better team now. And I know he's a great
team player.
I'm so glad that Jack and I forgave each other. And
that we didn't wait too long. Jack was one of my best
friends when he was alive and I thank God he
was still one of my best friends when he died.
How about you? Are you holding any grudges?
Think about it!
Joe Seay
jdseay48@cyberback.com
Write Joe and let him know what you thought of his story!
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I am an internationally published Christian writer
whom God has blessed. I am 66 years old, retired
from secular employment, happily married for 45
years and blessed with four children and twelve
grandchildren, including a set of triplets.
I'm active in our local church serving as S.S.
Superintendent. Prior to retirement in 1994, I was
a businessman, active in our community and
church, hosted a weekly TV Christian talk show,
conducted marriage enrichment seminars and
was a political activist.
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From the E-mail Box!
Dear Michael -- Wow what a thought provoking story. ("Oh, How I Loved Her, by Hanoch McCarty) Sometimes we forget to say those three sweet words. It was a wake up call for me. Thanks for reminding me to tell my husband of almost 49 years now that I still do love him.
MC
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Dear Michael, Today's story "Oh, How I Loved Her" was so touching, it brought tears to my eyes. It makes you realize the loved ones we always take for granted to be there not to hesitate to let them know how much you love them. Even though actions speak louder than words we ALL need to hear those 3 words that mean so much. Thank you so much for sending me these stories. Sincerely, petey2453@aol.com
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Hello Michael,
I just read your story, EIGHTEEN YEARS LATE. It
reminded me once again how we can hurt someone so
easily with our words and actions. I admire you for
writing of this experience and for asking for
forgiveness even after 18 years. I hope the one that
needs to read this has the opportunity to read it. I
am sure that it, even years later, will heal a spot in
her heart. It is never too late to say we are sorry.
Thank you for sharing your words of wisdom. I know it
has touched me. May God bless and keep you and your
family in the safety of His care.
Angelica
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Thought For The Day:
"Pennies do not come from heaven - they have to be earned
here on earth." --Margaret Thatcher
Verse for the Day:
"From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things
as surely as the work of his hands rewards him."
Proverbs 12:14
Kid's Thought For The Day:
"If it's in your way, climb over it."
Parent's Thought For The Day
"There are three ways to get something done: do it
yourself, hire someone, or forbid your kids to do it."
Monta Crane
Coach's Thought For The Day
"History has demonstrated many times that WILL
is the magic word that turns a pumpkin into a golden coach."
Deep Thought For The Day:
"Whenever I hear Pavlov's name, it rings a bell."
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REQUESTS:
I enjoy your newsletter every day, and felt that today would be a good day to ask for prayer. I work for a Christian school in inner-city Chicago. I am a marketing coordinator, and this school is a "miracle school" It serves the Hispanic population primarily, but has all ethnic groups represented. We are having a HORRIBLE time finding teachers who are willing to work for $24,000 a year in an inner-city school. Our principal ended up teaching full-time last year, and he really needs to be available to be the PRINCIPAL. There are only six teachers in the school--two grades per classroom. Please pray for doors to begin opening and teachers as well as finances for this school. I have done everything humanly possible to recruit teachers, and now it is in God's hands.
Thanks,
Anne Jones
dajsb@aol.com
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Michael,
I just love the stories. Many make me cry....
Could you please add me to the prayer list? My husband has
been out of work for 4 months. now and the
Telecommunications industry keeps laying them off.
And recently I went into a lady's store to buy my mom
something and I turned to leave and her dog bit me. It broke
the skin and he is in quarantine. I had a tetanus shot and now
have to wait the 10 days till I know he is rabies free. And it
made the Lupus Flare badly. Someone said I belonged in a
plastic bubble. Maybe I do. I feel like I am hexed and bring
bad luck to everyone
Bless you
Dale
KitanaAngel49@aol.com
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Please pray for my mother who has to be operated to remove her fractured
ribs and to fix a transplant to help to support her back.
May our Lord be the surgeon himself and continue to bring her safely through
the road of recovery
Thank you.
Ma Nar
lhling@pc.jaring.my
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_
/_/\/\ MICHAEL T. POWERS
\_\ / THUNDER27@aol.com
/_/ \ "For I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but
\_\/\ \ Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live for the Son
\_\/ of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
Galatians 2:20
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