Flushing Toilets and Forgiveness.....Dragon Slayer

Flushing Toilets and Forgiveness

Was in a men's small group a couple months ago when a new christian shared about having a problem forgiving. He knew what he was supposed to do but not how to do it. How do you let go? How do you forgive someone who doesn't deserve forgiveness?

I asked him if he had ever went to the bathroom and discovered someone had left something behind in the toilet they shouldn't have.

"Well, yeah."

"What did you do?"

"I flushed it."

"Why?"

There is a really puzzled look on the man's face.

"Because that is what you are supposed to do."

A wrong done against you is like something left behind that shouldn't have been. Just leaving it does not make it go away nor does it clear the air (pun intended). Every time you revisit the wrong old resentments resurface. They shouldn't have done this. This is wrong. They should have ...

And you are absolutely right! Forgiveness is difficult enough when another acknowledges their wrong but when they hide it or worse, flaunt it, it just floats there in the toilet of your emotions and because of someone else your life stinks.

Proverbs 18:19(KJV) A brother offended (hurt, angry) is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

As we are growing up we learn the value of "walls". Separating ourselves from others, physically or emotionally. If someone hurts you a wall goes up. If you are wronged a wall goes up. If you are neglected a wall goes up. We think a happy life is a life free from pain so we each live in our own little castle.

But when you are hurt deeply by another the walls are fortified, a moat is made and alligators put in it, the drawbrige is pulled up and locked, huge pots of hot oil are prepared and placed strategically atop the walls. And bars are put in the windows. No one is getting in. You are right. But your castle has now become your prison.

Flushing toilets is no big deal. Even when it is someone's else's "mess" you almost instinctively flush. You know that not flushing is worse than flushing.

Maybe you can get used to the smell whenever you are near the bathroom. Maybe you can learn to live with it. But when others are in your home they will notice. They may not say anything but they will know something is (smells) wrong.

One day Jesus asks you about the smell. You tell him the story of the person who used your toilet and did not flush. He asks you why you did not flush it. And the caldron of emotions begins to boil as you defend your right to not do what someone else should have, why they were wrong for doing it, you go on and on.

Jesus goes to the bathroom door to open it but it is locked. He looks at me and says, "Only treasures you cherish you keep from me. Is this your treasure?"

It is often easier to give Jesus our loves than it is to give him our hates. Our treasure is those things we will not let go of. How sad the life that allows a treasure of misery to keep it bound.

.....peace.....

What is below was written over five years ago. First a sister sharing. And then a response. It's not always easy to do (or write) GOD's will.

First I say hello my fellow poets. I come today putting myself out in the open. When I was a child my father did the worst thing you could do to a daughter. He took my youth and destroyed life from growing inside of me. I know God can change that if he desired to but let me move on. I was hurt on levels I didn't know were there. When I got saved and I began to worship the most high God He began to show me my gifts and talents. Now I am all grown up and God is challenging me again. Word was brought to me that my earthly father now needs a kidney, and he has to go on dialysis, and his sugar is out of control. Well he needs a kidney and my step-mother said one of our sisters was going to be tested. So we all need to go to see which one of us can help him. I believed that I was past my anger, hurts, and pains but when I heard this, I felt anger and then I felt like why should I help him. Now I know that is not what my Heavenly Father would want me to say or think. How can I help the man that has taken so much from me? I know what the word says but this is one of those I just feel like God's way is so heavy. I need you all. Help your sister because she is feeling lost right now.

Dragon Slayer

There are memories from her painful past
The damage that was done will always last

Beyond the scars is a frightened little girl
Reliving forgotten terror in that dark world

Against a cruel dragon helpless to defend
She wonders if his torture will ever end

The dragon now lies wounded clinging to life
Tears and prayers are offered from the dragon's wife

The sword of indifference held firmly in her hand
If she slays the dragon people will understand

To end the tryanny of the never-ending beast
Of those deserving mercy he is the very least

Deep within her spirit comes One in shining armor
One who truly loves her and never will harm her

Gently he takes the sword from her trembling hand
As He holds her closely she begins to understand

That ending the dragon's life will not end the pain
Washing herself in its blood will not remove the stain

A little girl walks tearfully into the dragon's lair
Knowing she has something she needs to share

Offering from within the one thing he did not take
Hoping and praying her gift will the difference make

Finally the little girl has become a dragon slayer
Laying her life down for another has truly freed her

.....peace.....