Forgiving and Forgetting!

When you point the finger at someone, don't forget that there are always three fingers pointing back at you.

Biblical text: Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out. (Proverbs 17:14 NIV).

The story is told of a boy and his mother who went to a shopping mall. The boy acted badly - demanding this and that, running away from his mother, hiding so she couldn't find him, whining that he wanted something to eat or drink, interrupting her while she was attempting to talk to sales people or make a purchase. In total exasperation, she finally gave up and returned to the car.

As they were driving home, the boy could sense her displeasure and he said, "I learned last week in church that when we ask God to forgive us when we are bad, He does. Does He really do that?"

The mother replied, "Yes, He does." The boy continued, "And the teacher said that when He forgives us, He throws our sins in the deepest sea. Does He do that, Mom?" The mother responded, "Yes, that's what the Bible says."

The boy was silent for a moment and then he said, "I've asked God to forgive me for acting bad at the mall, but I bet when we get home, you're going to go fishing for those sins, aren't you?"

Surely one of the best ways to avoid a quarrel with a person is to avoid going fishing for their past sins!