It was a new way...
Illustration
It was a new way to look at forgiveness and Marjorie had been able to think of little else since her friend Pat had brought it up. Marjorie had gone to Pat's office to blow off steam. She was fed up with the pressure at work and somehow visiting with Pat always helped. "Got a minute?" Marjorie had asked.
Pat looked up from his work, smiled, and said, "Sure!"
Marjorie knew he didn't; she knew how busy they all were. But she was just so angry with the unreasonable demands of upper management. She felt if she could vent her feelings she could avoid blowing up at the wrong time with the wrong person. Even in telling Pat of her frustrations, she knew his were the same or worse. Yet somehow he managed to cope with them better than she did. When Marjorie finally paused for a response, Patrick said, "You know, our minister said something Sunday that just might help you get another perspective on all this." Marjorie had her doubts. "The sermon was about joy," Pat went on, "but the words that stuck with me were these: 'Forgiveness is the willingness to bear the burden someone else has placed on your shoulders.' Think about that, Marjorie. I think you are angry because of the burden management has placed on your shoulders. I'm not making any judgments about whether or not management is justified. But you can choose how you will react." Marjorie had left Pat's office deep in thought. After two days of living with his words, she knew he was right. She had to let go of her anger, and just carry the load she was given. What amazed her was the difference Patrick's statement had made in her attitude. -- Fannin
Pat looked up from his work, smiled, and said, "Sure!"
Marjorie knew he didn't; she knew how busy they all were. But she was just so angry with the unreasonable demands of upper management. She felt if she could vent her feelings she could avoid blowing up at the wrong time with the wrong person. Even in telling Pat of her frustrations, she knew his were the same or worse. Yet somehow he managed to cope with them better than she did. When Marjorie finally paused for a response, Patrick said, "You know, our minister said something Sunday that just might help you get another perspective on all this." Marjorie had her doubts. "The sermon was about joy," Pat went on, "but the words that stuck with me were these: 'Forgiveness is the willingness to bear the burden someone else has placed on your shoulders.' Think about that, Marjorie. I think you are angry because of the burden management has placed on your shoulders. I'm not making any judgments about whether or not management is justified. But you can choose how you will react." Marjorie had left Pat's office deep in thought. After two days of living with his words, she knew he was right. She had to let go of her anger, and just carry the load she was given. What amazed her was the difference Patrick's statement had made in her attitude. -- Fannin
