Simon Says What?

Simon Says What?

It didn’t take long for TV’s American Idol to become a national obsession. The undiscovered vocal talent. The chance for viewers to impact the outcome. And, of course, Simon Cowell. The caustic Brit’s brutal honesty left a mark on pop culture . . . and on people. Take Mandisa Hundley. Early in season five, this gifted Christian blew away the judges with her audition, only to have Simon make cruel jokes about her weight after she’d left the room.

Mandisa didn’t learn about the remarks until the show aired—at a viewing party in her honor. “I swallowed hard and tried to smile,” she wrote in her book Idoleyes. “I’d gone from my life’s highest moment to one of its lowest, and had to do it under the watchful eyes of my closest friends who saw my hurt and tried to encourage me. They even prayed with me that I’d be able to forgive Simon, and that somehow Jesus would be glorified.”

A week later, those prayers were answered on national television. During a face-to-face encounter with the judges, Mandisa gently told Simon how much his comments had stung, adding, “The good thing about forgiveness is that you don’t need someone to apologize in order to forgive them. So, Simon, I want you to know I have forgiven you, because if Jesus could forgive me for all the things I’ve done wrong, I can certainly extend the same grace to you.”

Simon was humbled. They shared a hug. And Mandisa went on to finish among Idol’s Top 10 that season before landing a record deal and becoming a successful gospel singer. And you know what? She also realized that Simon had a point. Mandisa used that experience as motivation to live a healthier lifestyle.

Of course, not every insult hurled in our direction is worth taking to heart. Paul encourages us in Colossians 3:13 to “make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”

Daddy-Daughter Time

What do you think of Mandisa’s response to Simon? How might you have handled that situation? Refusing to forgive those who’ve hurt us can eat away at us like a cancer. How can holding a grudge hurt someone emotionally, physically, and spiritually? Do you need to forgive someone? Talk about that together. Then pray for the strength to, like Mandisa, follow our Savior’s example in Luke 23:32-34.

What’s The Word?

Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.   Colossians 3:13