Tuesday 13 August 2019

Saint Peter's Assistant

You have died ... and you find yourself in Heaven's Reception Room. There, sitting at the computer is Saint Peter searching for your details and information. Standing behind him is a figure pointing at you.

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! 

16 comments:

  1. Lovely story and great advice Victor.
    Holding a grudge harms all who are involved.
    Forgive now and you will not be afraid to meet Saint Peter or his assistant 💮

    God's Blessings Victor ✝

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    Replies
    1. Sometimes, Jan, it is very difficult to forgive. Especially when the hurt continues.

      God bless you always.

      Delete
  2. Wonderful parable, Victor!
    But, what if one's apology is not accepted? Now I feel compelled to practice a bit of self-examination.

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    1. Hi Mevely,

      It is not your fault if your apology has not been accepted. As long as in your heart you made an honest apology, and have asked God to forgive you, that is all that's needed. You must believe and accept that God has forgiven you. If the other person has not accepted your apology it is up to them and their conscience.

      If the other person has passed away then they have seen God and have seen the situation as it was between the two of you. You need no longer be concerned about your apology not having been made or accepted.

      God bless you.

      Delete
  3. I remember this story so well from one of your story collections, Victor, and it brought me such delight to read it again. Yes, a valuable lesson, indeed!
    Blessings!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Martha. Sometimes it is worth re-publishing old posts or articles. I check the stats to see which have received most hits, and by implication have been of some help to readers. More readers visit here than the ones that comment. Pity; I'd love more comments from my readers to gauge what I am doing right ... or wrong.

      God bless you.

      Delete
  4. Forgiving can be a tough exercise but it would take a load off your mind. If they wiil or don't accept it, well that's up to them.

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    Replies
    1. you're right, Bill. If they don't accept one's apologies and do not forgive it is up to them.

      God bless.

      Delete
  5. Excellent advice, Victor. Forgiveness is not always easy but how much better for the soul!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Agreed, Terri. Forgiveness is not always easy but we should try.

      God bless.

      Delete
  6. What a kinder world we would have if we all could learn to forgive more.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The world will never know peace until it learns to forgive. (Central message from my book VISIONS).

      God bless, Happyone.

      Delete
  7. For many forgiveness does not come easy, but I'm sure if more of us could learn to forgive our world would become a happier and kinder place.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Often forgiveness is not easy because for many it should come at a price. Very few people can forgive freely. No price. No revenge, retribution punishment or compensation.

      God bless, Jan.

      Delete

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