You look carefully and, despite the shroud covering the figure, you recognise who it is; and your heart misses a beat and sinks to your stomach.
There pointing at you is your arch-enemy. You did not even know the person is dead. You had an almighty argument years ago and you parted company the greatest of enemies. You have never met since. What is that person doing here and pointing at you accusingly.
Saint Peter looks up from his computer and says: "Meet my assistant. You two have not met for sometime!"
Your heart misses another beat and sinks even lower to your feet. If your arch-enemy is here there's no point in going on with the preliminaries of reception to this place. He will have told Saint Peter all about you. You might as well go down without a parachute.
"My assistant has something to tell you," continues Saint Peter.
Your arch-enemy speaks. "I am so sorry I have hurt you. I never sought forgiveness nor cared much for it. Please forgive me."
There's a lump in your throat. Your heart gives up in despair unable to go any lower.
Saint Peter explains. "My assistant here had an opportunity to examine his conscience before he died. He deeply regretted the way he lived and asked God's forgiveness. That's why he is here. When he heard of your arrival he asked if he could seek your forgiveness too. Welcome to Heaven."
MORAL OF THE STORY:
If you have wronged someone, seek forgiveness now. You may not get the opportunity before you die. And you may not meet again in the other life. That is unless you both meet at a place where it does not matter whether we forgive or not!
A timely story, Victor. I have spent a great deal of time discussing forgiveness when there is no repentance. Sadly there is never the reconciliation of a relationship without all the steps. BUT we can only do our part--and that would be forgiving--sometimes over and over. Perhaps you are correct and it will be taken to completion when we reach Heaven. We don't know that, but we do know what we are called to do.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Friend!
I have written often about forgiveness, Lulu, both in my books and on this Blog. It is a very difficult issue to resolve. Often reconciliation is impossible, for example in an acrimonious divorce. I suppose in such cases we forgive in our hearts time and again, as best we can.
DeleteGod bless you.
This is profound, Victor. I really, really appreciate the wisdom in this post. You are a blessing, my friend. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you Cheryl. Forgiveness is such a difficult thing at times.
DeleteGod bless you.
A loud and clear message rings out with this simple little story Victor, you have a way of sharing big things in simple meaningful ways. Indeed, may we forgive now, instead of waiting to see what happens when our live here is over. Have a blessed weekend :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kind words SpicingUpIdaho. Much appreciated.
DeleteGod bless you and your family.
Powerful scenario, Victor! You have a great talent of sharing a message through a story (true or otherwise). God Bless you for sharing that talent with us!
ReplyDeleteHow kind of you, Michael. Thank you. I hope what I write helps someone.
DeleteGod bless you.