“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.”

We ran into a little problem on the golf course last week.  The second time the foursome behind us hit into us, literally their shot rolled past where we were standing, one of the guys I was playing with went off (by golf etiquette, justifiably) on the group behind us.  He chose some words to make his point that I don’t use and he threw the ball back towards where they were (another acceptable form of protest).  A few minutes later, we see a cart coming towards us with one person driving alone.  As we are putting out from the hole he walked to the green and before anyone could say anything he slightly bowed, opened his arms and said, “I am so sorry, please do pardon my actions.”  With those few words, all was said, and while our human instincts were still to teach a lesson, or have the last word, our group all said, “Thanks for coming up to apologize” and we moved on. I an easily imagine another scenario if the words that were chosen had been different.  I was very glad it went the way it did.  We all need to sometimes ask to be pardoned.  Let’s hope that when we are asked to do so for others, we are willing to let it go and move on.  Think how much better our workplaces would be if we did.

If we doubt that we are to pardon others, then look no further than how God pardons the worst of us. The Pastor of our summer church said on Sunday, “Even when we are the greatest of Saints, we are Sinners and when we are the worst of Sinners, God still looks at us as His Saints”.  If God can pardon us, then we can pardon others.

Reference:  Isaiah 55:8 (New Living Translation)