by Victoria Heinecke

When accidents happen.

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“Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Colossians 3:13b New International Version (NIV)

Backing a car out of the garage is an activity we often take for granted, until something happens. This week, my husband heard the slamming of doors and the garage door opener as I left the house in a hurry. He could tell that I’d opened the garage door from my car and not the wall unit. He said to himself, “Please, Vicki, wait for the garage door to open before you ba-”

CRUNCH!

He came to the garage as I ran inside, and he could see that I was visibly upset. Calmly, he went outside to assess the damage. The door took enough damage to make a replacement necessary. Even if it could be repaired, it would still bear the dents and cracks where it was damaged.

Not once has Jon been visibly angry with me for what I did. I’ve apologized countless times, but once was enough, and Jon knows I didn’t deliberately drive my car into the door.

This isn’t the first time I’ve done something like this. I’ve been involved in a few accidents, both in my car and at home. Every time, Jon has been gracious, focusing more on how to go forward than shaming me for what I did.

In Jon’s actions, I feel a tangible connection to how God loves me and forgives me for my sins. It’s also taught me how to be forgiving towards others.

Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared.
“Go now and leave your life of sin.”
John 8:0-11 NIV

Forgiveness doesn’t make the original damage (sin) disappear, as if it never happened. However, we can reach reconciliation, both with God and with those we’ve offended, and through reconciliation our relationships can move forward and grow. What counts is how we live day to day with the lessons we’ve learned.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado