There is a popular saying "Experience is the best teacher".
Though true, but i think this statement is relative, let me explain.
If you are learning from someone else's experience, then it could be the best teacher. But, if it was your experience, the scars it leaves on you from the lesson's learnt can't be the best way to learn.
In my own case, I don't know where to position the hour hand. When you see the scars on your father. It can do two things;
Make you or break you
My Dad is a preacher. I once asked Him, "Dad when God called you, what did He tell you your mission was?"
He said, "I was to preach the Message of Forgiveness horizontally and vertically".
What this meant was that He was instructed to preach the Gospel to sinners telling them that God would forgive them no matter what their sins were and they should welcome Jesus into their hearts. It also meant that, He was also going to be restoring broken relationships by preaching forgiveness to families, friends and every other person who wanted freedom from the shackles of hate.
I looked at my Dad's life from the time I knew how to talk and understand situations. I observed that alot of persons had betrayed Him but He had never harboured hatred in His heart.
The most painful experience was when an In-law betrayed Him and wasn't even remorseful about it. I could remember my Dad at a time was wondering, if He had done anything wrong to get this kind of treatment from family.
I guess the perks of preaching a particular message is that you will be tried with it. If my Dad was going to preach forgiveness, He would have to be pushed against the wall to see what His response would be.
Some people don't actually deserve forgiveness. I speak as a human now. But, because of how heavy the baggage of hate is, we just have to let it go.
The in-law married my Mum's sister. He was also a preacher like my Dad and due to the fact He was family, my Dad handed a branch of the church to Him because He was looking at expanding the church of Christ.
I could remember that Thursday afternoon. I saw the In-law moving every equipment out from the church. The chairs, instruments, sounds and yes even the members. If He had stopped their, I think our relationship would have still be favourable now. But, He went ahead to spread rumours about my Dad.
I guess this is the part we say "He was a wolf in sheep clothing". One thing about betrayals is that you don't see it coming. The signs may be there but who are we if don't try to give them the benefit of the doubt.
I learnt alot from my Father. I learnt more when He keeps his cool and says nothing. I was surprised when my Dad still gave another a chance and they did the same thing. He gave the third, the fouth, the fifth and they still did the same thing.
He once held a program inviting all of them to tell them that He had forgiven them and He gave them some gifts. Some came and some didn't.
He said leaving the church where He is your Pastor to Pastor your own is not a bad thing but the manner in which you go is of importance. Knowing my Dad I'm certain, He would even support their vision and pray for them.
Nothing can be hidden under the sun. Every pretense will still be revealed. Every wolf in sheep clothing, will one day reveal their fangs.
But never give up on trust.
Thanks for visiting my page馃檹馃徔馃檹馃徔馃拑馃徔馃拑馃徔.
