Forgive and Forget

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Rolling down the twisting and dipping road I followed the bike ahead of me with two bikes following behind me. We were out enjoying the fall colors that had the trees on the hillsides ablaze. A field of freshly cut alfalfa lay surrounded on three sides by the orange and reds of Maples splashed amoung the yellows of the Aspen trees. The river below to our right glistened as it meandered through the valley that separated the hills of Pine and hardwoods. I was feeling so alive when........ It hit me and shook me from the euphoria I had been in all morning. I had totally forgotten that I was supposed to have been involved in a teleconference call an hour ago.



I wasn't sure what to do but I knew I had to stop somewhere and make a call. When we had pulled to the side of the road I searched for my cell phone and called my office. I found out that the phone meeting had been canceled and they apologized for not informing me. Whew, I had dodged a bullet but this got me to thinking about the human flaw that all of us have experienced. I forgot, I blew it off, the brain fart, I spaced it off. It is known by many names yet whatever you call it, it seems to always arrive at the worst time.

Is this a true human flaw or a blessing? Psychiatrists tell us that it is a subconscious act because we didn't want to remember anyway, and I must admit I wasn't looking forward to that teleconference. But, I have forgotten things that I really wanted to do. Like watch a ball game or meet some guys for coffee. So is forgetting a flaw or a gift?

Then I remembered Hebrews 8:12 says,”For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." God chooses to forgive and forget trespasses against Him. This I am truly grateful for.

I thought about the times I had hurt my wife deeply with something I had done or said. She accepted my apology without hesitation and not only forgave me but seemed to forget about my actions never to mention it again.

I can recall discussing an incident with a friend about a time where I had been done wrong in a business deal. He asked me “whatever happened with that”. I remember responding, "I will forgive that guy but I'll never allow him to be close enough to hurt me like that again." I could imagine myself right back in that incident with all of the feelings and emotions. This now concerned me and made me ask myself, “had I really forgiven him.” I thought of the line in the Lords prayer, “and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” I certainly don’t want God to remember my sin and not allow me close to Him because I might hurt Him again. I wanted God to forgive and forget just as He said he would in Hebrews 8. But to do this, I knew I had to do the same.

So, here I am again riding down a narrow road among the beauty of God's handiwork. The colors are now beginning to fade and many of the leaves that just last week took my breathe with their stunning beauty have let go of the branch that held them and are covering the road in front of me. On this journey I ride alone, except for the voice lovingly prompting me to let go. Just like these leaves, I too must let go of some things that I have chosen to carry in my remembrance bag. I maneuver my motorcycle to the side of the road and lean it on the kickstand. I pull my gloves off and wedge them between the tank and the handlebars. A quick glance down an old road and I find myself walking away from the pavement and down this lonely abandoned road. It twists and seems to end only to turn again and continue. One last sharp turn and it comes to an abrupt end overlooking the river below. Bending down I scoop up a handful of stones and shake them in my loose fist. I open the closet of my memory and one by one drag the remains of an incident where my unforgiveness has long dwelt. Using a stone to represent each incident I heave the stone into the space below and ask God for help to forget the trespass against me. I then ask Him to forgive me for my trespasses as I have forgiven those who have trespassed against me.



I have a new respect for forgetting. It has long gotten a bad rap. Because God has not only forgiven my sin but He has also forgotten it.

Remember to always ride the narrow road and stop in and see us again.
Your riding companion. Larry (Skeeter)