Forgiveness

[NateD]

I've noticed a lot of people leaving here lately, and while I really don't know what happened, aside from a major misunderstanding, apparently, I'm going to relate a story from my past:

I was in the doctor's office the other day, and this cute blonde smiled at me, like she knew me.  It took me a moment to place her, but then I realized she was an old flame who had pretty much screwed me over in the past.  Well, she was in there for her baby's first check-up, and I was in there for something else.

On the way out, I happened to notice her sitting with her mother and her baby, and I knew that being given two choices: I could let the past be the past, forgive her, and say "hi."  Or I could hold the grudge and keep walking.  I ended up going over and saying "hi."  And I think that both she and I are better off for that.

Now, I realize that I'm a young 22, and I think pretty well all of you on this board are definitely my elders.  And I realize that some of you may say that I'm too young to understand or something like that, that I don't have enough experience.  But I have seen cases in which the youth have proven to be right, so please hear me out:

if all of you who are leaving just simply leave out of anger and have your profiles and everything else removed, you won't even be giving the situation a chance.  So, you can either leave, or you can stick around, work out the misunderstanding, and then a few years down the road turn back on this moment, think to yourself, "I'm glad I didn't leave."  It's your choice; God gave us all free will.

Take care,
NateD

[Kreeger]

... in response to Forgiveness, posted by NateD on Sep 9, 2002

You know, Nate...

You are wise beyond your years and the good character shows, even though we have never actually met. I respect that... especially coming from someone who is at least half (sometimes one-third) the age of most on this board. I don't regularly associate age with experience, but in this case... it is obvious that most of these guys have had more experience (due to the length of time they have been kicking around). That being said, I find it relatively easy to read an offensive post and just ignore it completely... even if it DIRECTLY offends me. The reason: anything I say in response will either invoke an additional negative response (most likely from others, as well) or offend someone not involved. I read. I keep my mouth shut. I laugh at those who make total fools of themselves... and I remain anonymous. Life is too short to get steamed over some dumb retort by someone who thinks they should run the forum.

It's much easier to be a spectator.

Joe

[Bel]

... in response to Re: Forgiveness, posted by Kreeger on Sep 9, 2002

Well said, Kreeger.

[NateD]

... in response to Re: Forgiveness, posted by Kreeger on Sep 9, 2002

Joe,

Thanks for that, but it would be extremely wrong of me to take all the credit for that.  I owe my thanks to some people for helping me to get to where I am in my thinking and in my actions: my parents, for my upbringing, and Jesus.

Nate

[Stephen]

... in response to Forgiveness, posted by NateD on Sep 9, 2002

for life.

thanks.

Stephen