Forgiveness

This week, the tables were turned on me and I got an interesting object lesson in Forgiveness.

Most afternoons, I teach a group of first or second graders for 30 minutes of Physical Education. It isn't rocket science, but I have a lesson plan. We stretch and have organized games and activities. We also have some rules that I put in place on Day 1 with my students. Because we're often outside and active, their safety is my main priority. So Rule #1 is "Freeze and Be Silent When the Whistle Blows". I explained that someday, we may have an emergency- like a hurt child- and I would need everything quiet and still so I could take care of the situation. We even practiced "freezing" and I was confident they had it down!

Then last week, we had an injury during PE. It was very minor, but unfortunately, when I needed to run over to deal with a crying child, no one responded to the whistle to freeze and be silent. I blew it again- and a few were still desperate to finish that relay and win. So, I ended the game and brought them back to class. Their teacher and I were glad the injury was only a slightly cut lip but decided to somewhat overreact to their refusal to stop playing when I blew the whistle. Safety issues are serious and consequences were necessary.

This week, instead of going outside for gym, I came to their classroom. Their teacher prayed for them and then explained that they would be writing sentences instead of having gym. These are the sentences they had to write...

Now, I've had to ask forgiveness... from God and from people... countless times. It's sad to say, but it's a familiar place for me to be. But let me tell you, it was different being asked to provide forgiveness. They were obviously sorry and one little girl sat at her desk and cried. I hurt as I watched them writing their sentences- some of them struggled with the cursive writing. Then, they stood at their desks and in unison asked me to forgive them. I could hardly wait for them to finish their sentence so I could say, "Of course, I forgive you!" Then their teacher asked me to pray for them. I thanked God for their repentance. I thanked God for the times he'd forgiven me. Then I thanked Him for the new start we would have next class time.

I have to say that discipline is one of the least favorite parts of my job. But I also know that scripture says that God disciples those He loves. I had to stand with their classroom teacher and allow the kids to experience some discipline and even Godly sorrow over their behavior. It was hard to watch.

I wanted to forgive them so, so badly... but they had to WANT to be forgiven first and that took a little while. Maybe that's how God feels. If we are created in His image and He feels things, how many times has he watched and hurt, waiting for me to just come to a place where I wanted to be forgiven.

I think I'll hang onto those papers for a while.