Never Is A Long Time
NEVER IS A LONG TIME
Read Colossians 3:8-13.
“I’m never going to speak to Michelle again!” yelled Tonya, slamming the door behind her.
Her mother frowned. “Never is a long time.”
“I don’t care how long it is,” Tonya snapped. Tonya’s words faded as she ran down the hall to her room.
“Tonya!” Mom called after her. “Let’s go visit Aunt Margaret!”
A short trip across town brought Tonya and her mother to the Colonial Plaza Nursing Home. As Tonya walked beside her mom down the hall, her mind was still churning with angry thoughts about Michelle.
“Aunt Margaret, what’s the matter?” Mom’s startled cry brought Tonya back to reality. Mom knelt beside the old lady’s wheelchair.
In Aunt Margaret’s hand was a crumpled letter. Tears were streaming down her cheeks. “Oh, Brenda,” she sobbed. “I’ve been so stubborn.”
“Stubborn about what?” Mom questioned.
“Too stubborn to say, ‘I’m sorry.’” Aunt Margaret’s voice quivered as she spoke.
After listening to a long-winded story, Tonya and her mother finally understood why she was so upset. When they finally left, Tonya was wiping her eyes. In the car she turned to her mother. “You mean Aunt Margaret and Aunt Sarah had not spoken to each other for twenty years?”
Mom nodded. “Yes, and now Aunt Sarah has asked Aunt Margaret to forgive her. They can’t even remember why they were fighting. I’m glad they finally decided to forgive each other. Unforgiveness is a heavy burden to carry for all those years.”
Tonya gulped. “When we get home, I’d better call Michelle. Never is a long time—too long.”
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you sometimes say things you don’t really mean? Is there someone to whom you need to apologize? Do that now before it’s too late.
TO MEMORIZE:
Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you.
Colossians 3:13
FORGIVE OTHERS.
From the book
