Forgiveness That Binds

I was not impressed with the new teacher at all.

I’d had such great hopes, but she was falling short —at least according to my self-constructed expectations. I was very busy with preparing for a new position. It had been a period of great changes emotionally, physically, and professionally. One day this teacher sat in my office with a barrage of questions— some of which I had no direct knowledge of or interest to discuss. Visibly annoyed, I answered grumpily. She escaped my office quickly, and I seethed the rest of the school day.

Later, as I reviewed my day with my husband, I grumbled about the teacher. Still upset, I shared the details of our interactions, seeking reasons for my resentment. Against my will, the Holy Spirit moved me to the truth.

I shared all the good qualities that had prompted me to seek out this teacher in the first place. I had been excited and grateful to work with such a bright, devoted, and delightful educator. When I was promoted to a new job, I asked for a few months of transition so that when I left, she would be certain of her responsibilities in the new position. I talked on as my husband listened to me, conceding that she asked questions because she wanted to succeed in teaching a program that I had created. I was her point of reference, and now, I confessed, I was mistreating her.

This revelation startled me! The Holy Spirit is more interested in how I treat others than how I feel. No matter the reasons, the Lord is steadfast in His call for me to value people. For in harming others, I distort the image of Christ so that hostility replaces holiness and conflict chases away cooperation —and the enemy of the soul takes credit. I had to choose a different path, so I prayed and planned with God that night.

The next day, when that precious teacher phoned, I responded with kindness and smiled as we planned. I asked for forgiveness with an admission that I had treated her poorly and a promise that she would see that behavior no more.

She extended pardon freely and thanked me for apologizing.

Forgiveness cleared the way for us to continue. God’s goodness had been our guide before this unfortunate patch, and it will be after it. By the Spirit’s power, our work will reveal Christ, and God’s name will be glorified.

We had needed the Holy Spirit to mend what the enemy tried to destroy: unity among God’s people and the forgiveness that binds them together.

Rose Joseph Thomas