I just spent a week in Colorado Springs coaching some fantastic business owners who are all about Kingdom Impact! What an amazing and productive week. But something that happened while I was there had an even greater Kingdom Impact that shook the foundation of the enemy’s world—forgiveness, live and in person.
The Event – live and in person
Yes, this is the fourth blog post I have written on this story of “unforgiveness.” But I must now say that is not the true theme behind this whole story. It is actually about forgiveness and the journey of making that happen. Here are those posts – Unforgiven – 31 Years Later; Unforgiven – Life After College; Unforgiven – The Final Chapter;
As mentioned above, I was there to meet with the business owners I coach. And what a great week I had with them. They are amazing men of God running their businesses based on Biblical principles. But there was an even greater underlying story that was about to change two men forever.
32 Years Later
Live and in person after 32 years, I reconnected with my best friend. That is a photo of my friend Mike and me in the picture above. When he pulled up to get me, he jumped out of his truck and moved quickly up the driveway toward me before stopping. We both stood about five feet from each other wondering what to say. I don’t remember it exactly but the conversation went sort of like this:
- Scott: Look at us now, we are old!
- Mike: You have glasses!
- Scott: Yes, it’s been 32 years.
This is when I think we embraced in a big hug. I have to admit. When he said, “You have glasses,” I was thinking, “And you didn’t notice that I don’t have hair on my head any longer?” It certainly made me laugh, though I never commented.
Breaking Bread Together
From there we jumped in his truck and headed out to get a bite to eat and do a lot of catching up. Nothing better than two old friends breaking bread together again. As we were waiting on our food, I felt like it was time for us to catch up, but first…
Our Conversation
You might wonder, what does one talk about after 32 years? First things first. Mike wanted to do this right. He wanted to ask for forgiveness in person. Even though we had already communicated by letter and email and the work had been completed.
So before we got going on anything else, he simply stated that he was asking for my forgiveness in person. So he asked, “Scott, will you forgive me.” My response was, “Absolutely, you are forgiven.”
There are no Standard Operating Procedures or formulas for this. And no script as in what a telemarketer would use. Only a heart for God, humility, and transparency. Simply step out, which Mike did in the most humble way.
Do Not Dwell
Something you don’t do is to dwell. And as we continued our conversation, that’s what we decided.
It’s important for anyone to know that you CAN NOT dwell on the past. The word dwell means to be stuck.
Dwell (verb) – 1. to live or stay as a permanent resident; reside · 2. to live or continue in a given condition or state (to dwell in a past state of being)
So to put it in practical terms pertaining to this story in general, it means to be stuck in the past. To dwell on what happened keeps you from being able to move forward. I think about others who have been affected by our story, Mike and I. I believe they are most likely still stuck in being able to truly move forward in their own life. If this is the case, there are probably other things keeping them stuck. Other things they are dwelling on. Even dwelling in and on someone else’s past. Don’t stay stuck with someone else’s issues. As for Mike and I, we are moving forward.
I believe that’s why Jesus emphasized forgiveness to the N’th degree:
Matthew 18:21-22 AMP
Then Peter came to Him and asked, “Lord, how many times will my brother sin against me and I forgive him and let it go? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered him, “I say to you, not up to seven times, but seventy times seven.
I wonder if Peter thought he was being spiritual by asking, “Up to seven times?” But Jesus says in a modern-day translation, “I say 490 times (70×7).” I’m guessing you nor I have ever forgiven someone that many times. Nor will we ever have to. Matter of fact, I think Jesus was saying to forgive someone as many times as it takes.
Catching Up
So almost our whole time together was about catching each other up on what we had missed together over those 32 years.
Needless to say, we didn’t catch up on all 32 years but some preliminary plans have already been made for us to reconnect again; next time our wives will be with us. They both, his wife Kerri and my wife Carmen know the story. So together with our wives, live and in person, can celebrate the renewed relationship and new friendships. In awe of what God has done, and will do.
One thing Mike and I agree on is how we are in awe of God. We are both from Terre Haute Indiana, and Dave Frey of the Sidewalk Prophets is also a native of Terre Haute. Here are the Sidewalk Prophets with Everything in Awe…
Challenge of the Week
Want to shake the foundation of the enemy’s kingdom? Show the amazing awe of God by doing one of two things this week, or both. One, go ask someone you’ve hurt for forgiveness – that is a great challenge that most will not do. Or two, go forgive someone who has hurt you – let them go including yourself from your prison of unforgiveness. If you do one or both be prepared for the limitless awesomeness of God to be revealed. Do it live and in person and be in awe. So be it.
