Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. -Ephesians 4:32

After sharing the same smallish space for the last several weeks, Joe and Sandra are starting to get a little annoyed with each other. The walls are closing in. Some social distance from each other sounds like a wonderful idea right now, but the bizarre circumstances dictate otherwise.

It finally came to a head the other day and they had a little dust-up. Some things were said out of frustration and tempers flared. Now they have each gone back to their corners to simmer down for a bit.

What’s next?

It’s a familiar scene. Relationships can be challenging enough under normal circumstances, but throw in an international crisis and it’s just a matter of time before it takes a toll on an otherwise solid bond.

Normally Joe has a whole lengthy process he goes through before talking to Sandra again. When she offends him, he withdraws for a day or two and broods. Even when she apologizes and tries to reconcile, he keeps his distance.

Until this time.

This time it occurs to Joe that he doesn’t necessarily have the luxury of taking his sweet time in forgiving Sandra. She did apologize so rather than holding it over her head, maybe he should move on.

After all, that’s how God does it.

Joe was reminded of a verse that goes through his head every time he blows it in his relationship with the Lord. It’s the one that he has heard his pastor quote a lot, 1 John 1:9, if he remembers right? It goes something like,

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Yeah, that’s the one. As he thinks about that verse, Joe notices that it doesn’t sound like God has a whole complicated process that He goes through when we seek His forgiveness. No silent treatment. No cold shoulder. No probationary period. Sounds like it’s pretty much a done deal, forgiveness on the spot.

Hmmm…that gets Joe to thinking. Maybe he should go see what Sandra’s up to.

It’s a new day with God. Run with it.

“Relationships can be challenging enough under normal circumstances, but throw in an international crisis and it’s just a matter of time before it takes a toll on an otherwise solid bond.”