Studies show that those who master the art of forgiveness live longer, healthier lives.  Psychologists, doctors, and scientists are embracing an idea considered mostly theological in the past. 

According to the Mayo Clinic here are just a few of the health benefits of forgiveness…

• Healthier relationships
• Greater spiritual and psychological well-being
• Less anxiety, stress and hostility
• Lower blood pressure
• Fewer symptoms of depression
• Lower risk of alcohol and substance abuse

The WebMD website adds to these benefits a stronger immune system, less back pain and fewer headaches.  Forgiveness also reduces negative emotions such as anger, bitterness and resentment.

So everyone agrees that forgiveness is good.  But what exactly is forgiveness?  In the last blog we found out that forgiveness is not necessarily the following:  forgetting, trusting, condoning, pretending, preventing accountability, reconciliation, weakness, restoration, conditional or earned. 

So what is forgiveness????  Personally I think of forgiveness as relinquishing. 

Here’s the deal…all of us at one time or another have had someone betray us, hurt us, emotionally wound us, or do us wrong.  So humanly speaking we think we have a justifiable “right” to hurt back, take an eye for an eye, or retaliate.  When we forgive, we relinquish that “right.”  Our motive changes from revenge to what is best for the individual.

This is not easy to do.  Perhaps that’s why C.S. Lewis said, “Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea, unless they have something to forgive.”  Yet the Bible tells us to forgive (Colossians 3:13, Ephesians 4: 32, Luke 17:4).  And we are definitely admonished not to seek revenge because God will take care of that (Romans 12:19-21).  Do we trust God to take care of these things or not?   

Now on the surface forgiveness appears to be a selfless act, but it really isn’t because forgiveness is a gift we give ourselves.  Sometimes the person we are forgiving doesn’t even know it.  Sometimes a person knows it but doesn’t care.  It doesn’t matter.  For in relinquishing this “right” we trade caustic, self-destructive elements such as anger, resentment, and bitterness for peace.  We can cross over from being a victim to being a survivor.  We can get on with our lives.  We can stop the past from dictating our present or future.  We can let go and let God.

Here are a couple of my favorite quotes about forgiveness…

“When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel.  Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free.” ~ Catherine Ponder

“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” ~Lewis Smedes

Forgiveness is the first step on a journey to healing.  It doesn’t happen overnight.  It’s a hard and sometimes long process but truly worth the effort.  Fostering forgiveness benefits not only our physical life but our spiritual and emotional well-being as well.  Forgiveness is a win/win situation.  When we do it for others, we are really doing it for ourselves.

Studies show that those who master the art of forgiveness live longer, healthier lives.  Psychologists, doctors, and scientists are embracing an idea considered mostly theological in the past.  Although formulating a forgiving attitude is easier in theory than in principle, it might be easier to foster forgiveness if we know what forgiveness is NOT. 

Forgetting                                                                                                Forgiveness is not forgetting.  Forgetting can possibly come with time but it doesn’t happen in an instant – like some sort of spiritual amnesia that kicks in when we say the magic words, “I forgive you.”  Our minds just don’t work that way.  Asking someone to forget child abuse or injustice is unrealistic.  Dealing with it is one thing, forgetting it is quite another.    

Trusting                                                                                                                                                                                                          Forgiveness is not automatically giving total trust again.  Suppose a dear friend betrays a confidence but says, “I’m sorry.”  You can forgive the friend for the harm caused but to immediately trust him/her again with a secret would be foolish.  Trust is like a bank account people build with you.  It might be wise to only give them as much as they have deposited – especially if they have misused your trust before.  When they wipe the fund out, they start from scratch.  Trust is built gradually and given when a person proves to be trustworthy.   

Condoning                                                                                                                                                                                                  Forgiveness is not condoning what was done.  It doesn’t approve of bad behavior.  Recently my daughter was in a group when someone told an offensive joke.  As jokes go, many times we don’t even know it will be inappropriate until the punch line.  She did not reproach the individual but neither did she laugh.  The joke teller came over to her later and apologized privately.   He was waiting for her to say, “That’s okay,” but she didn’t – because it wasn’t okay.  What the guy did was offensive.  However she did say, “I accept your apology.”   Granted what many of us have to forgive runs much deeper than an off color joke but the principle remains the same.

Pretending                                                                                                                                                                                                  Forgiveness is not pretending you weren’t hurt or upset.  That would be denial not forgiveness.  Wearing a fake smile and pretending something didn’t happen doesn’t make it go away.  “Smile though your heart is breaking” may make dandy lyrics but it won’t keep your heart from breaking.   

Preventing Accountability                                                                                                                                                                   Forgiveness is not preventing someone from being held accountable.  One could forgive a thief who stole from him but the thief might have to do jail time just the same.  Choosing to testify against a thief in a court of law doesn’t negate forgiveness.  It could prevent him from stealing from someone else.  Behavior has consequences.   It isn’t always in the best interest of a person not to have to face consequences.

Reconciliation                                                                                                                                                                                           Forgiveness is not reconciliation.  Reconciliation can grow from forgiveness but it isn’t the immediate result.   You don’t instantly say, “Okay, now we’re all friends again.  Let’s be happy.”

Weakness                                                                                                                                                                                                     Forgiveness is not weakness.  It doesn’t mean you let everyone walk all over you and take whatever life has to dish out.  You don’t have to be a martyr for the cause.  You can be a forgiving person and still have the ability to say, “No!”  

Restoration                                                                                                                                                                                                              Forgiveness is not restoration with full benefits to a former position.  It’s true the prodigal son was welcomed home by his father.  They killed the fatted calf and partied ’til the other cows came home but his inheritance was gone.  He shot his wad.  It could well have been a case of “we love you, dearie, but you spent your money, honey!” 

Conditional                                                                                                                                                                                                       Forgiveness is not something you do just so God will forgive you.  That’s like doing the right thing for the wrong reason such as repenting just so you won’t go to hell.  God doesn’t want us to be good just so he won’t zap us.  He wants us to do good from the heart.  This is one of the main differences between the old and new covenant.

Earned                                                                                                                                                                                                            Forgiveness is not given only to those who apologize or those who earn it.  The majority of people you might need to forgive may never acknowledge they’ve done you wrong.   Perhaps they don’t even care.  We can’t play the “if only” game.  I would forgive them “if only” they would say they’re sorry or admit what they did.  Sure it might make forgiveness easier but it doesn’t give us license not to forgive if they don’t.  Christ’s example teaches us this.  “Father, forgive them.  They don’t know what they are doing (Luke 23:34).”

Easy                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Forgiveness is not easy.  God has forgiven us and we need to forgive others, but no one said it would be easy.  Most worthwhile endeavors are not easy.   However, God is willing to aid in this process if we ask Him for help.  Fostering forgiveness becomes a little easier when we know what forgiveness is NOT – and we ask for God’s help.

I love the Fourth of July.  I love the barbeques and I love the fireworks.  However I sometimes wonder if I truly appreciate the freedom that makes this celebration possible.  For freedom is not really free.  As our forefathers found out, freedom has a price and sometimes requires great sacrifice.

Signing the Declaration of Independence was more than just writing a “John Hancock” on a piece of paper. Those men had courage.  From the moment they signed their names, they became traitors in the eyes of the British.  Sure we romanticize that signers like John Adams and Thomas Jefferson became future presidents and Benjamin Franklin’s wit and wisdom wowed the world, but most did not fare quite as well.  They sacrificed a lot for our freedom. 

Did you know that the British considered John Hancock and Samuel Adams criminals and placed a price on their heads? The British chased Thomas McKean, George Reed, and William Hooper like foxes. They had to move their families from town to town to escape being captured.  Ned (Edward) Rutledge, the youngest signer, and Thomas Hayward Jr. became prisoners of war.  Richard Stockton was captured, tortured, and killed.  James Otis was beaten by the British and left mentally deranged.

William Floyd, Lyman Hall, George Clymer, and Lewis Morris had their homes plundered and destroyed.  While “Honest John” Hart was away, his wife died during an attack on their home.  His children had to flee to neighbors for refuge.  Francis Lewis had his Long Island mansion destroyed.  His wife was imprisoned and tortured.  The Revolutionary War swept away his fortune.

War costs money so many other fortunes were lost, too.  Lewis Morris was a wealthy merchant in Philadelphia.  His home and business were destroyed.  He ended up in debtor’s prison.  Thomas Nelson died, leaving his family deeply in debt.

John Morton ofPennsylvaniahad all of his friends (mostly Quakers) turn against him.  These stories could go on and on.  The trials of all 56 men are too numerous to mention. They did more than sign a historic document; they sacrificed their lives for our freedom.   

Someone else sacrificed his life for our freedom.  His name is Jesus Christ.  He was rich and for us, he became poor (2 Corinthians 8:9).  He died to give us freedom from sin (Romans 6:18, 22) and freedom from bondage (Galatians 5:1).  He gave us the free gift of righteousness (Romans 5:17) and the free gift of grace (Ephesians 2:8).  Through his death we have free justification (Romans 3:24).  This list could go on and on as well.   

So when Fourth of July rolls around, I think about those who gave up much so I might have freedom.  And I think about Christ whose sacrifice allows me to truly enjoy the freedoms I have. 

America is a feel good society.  We want to feel good all the time.  Therefore we have a love affair with drugs – all kinds of drugs.  

Some of us love the illegal variety, guaranteed to help us forget our troubles and get happy.  Some love the legal variety, guaranteed to help us forget our troubles and get happy.  We have drugs to wake us up and drugs to put us to sleep.  We have steroids to buff us up and diet pills to reduce the buff.  We aren’t satisfied to let our bodies rest and replenish when ill.  We’d rather pump them full of some concoction that will keep us going.  After all, we are important.  We simply can’t miss that appointment, cancel that date, or postpone that meeting.  

To answer this public need to keep us dancing as fast as we can the drug company coupled with the medical profession work hand in hand to supply our demand.  It’s a marriage made, not in heaven, but at the bank.  They learned a long time ago how to keep us happy.  They just tell us what we want to hear and have us pay for the privilege.  They tell us this drug will lower your cholesterol and that drug will lower your blood pressure.  This product will reduce your hot flashes and that pill will enhance your libido.  Are they lying?  No.  These drugs will do what they claim, and so much more if you consider the side effects.  In fact, sometimes one of the side effects of a drug is the very symptom it is supposed to treat.  

One of my favorite commercials shows a happy fellow enjoying life.  The voice over says,  “Be sure to ask your doctor about this blah, blah, blah, blah life changing drug.”  The implication being that your doctor is far too busy to know about this drug himself so you, the patient, being fully educated through this media propaganda blitz, should tell him.  Then the voice over lists the side effects, which run the gambit from a to z, so quickly the announcer sounds like Alvin the Chipmunk.  Magazine ads are the same.  Our eyes soak in the bold printed claims and skip the small printed side effects.  It’s marketing, folks.  And it works. 

Now don’t get me wrong.  I know that drugs can save lives, but drugs can take lives, too.  Adverse reactions to prescription drugs have increased dramatically in the past ten years.  In fact they are the fourth leading cause of death in hospital deaths, topped only by heart disease, cancer and stroke.  Therefore we need to count the cost and weigh our options.       

We can’t blame the medical industry for offering us a quick fix.  Many times that is exactly what we want.  We’ve decided if we can’t pronounce it, it must be good for us.  We’re too busy to take advantage of the information age even though knowledge about health is plentiful.  Even just taking the time to ask our doctor or the pharmacist a few questions can at least give us an idea of what we are up against.  I guess it’s quicker and easier to accept things than do a little research and find out for ourselves.  

Spiritually speaking, people approach the Bible the same way.  Rather than read the Bible for themselves, they prefer to flounder around relying on hearsay, assuming what they have always been told is what the Bible actually says.  No wonder misconceptions abound.  

I challenge you to read the Bible for yourself without preconceived ideas about what you’ve heard.  I suggest using a good, readable translation like The Message and starting with the New Testament because it gets right into the teachings of Jesus.   You may be in for some surprises.  For example Jesus didn’t come to condemn you (John 3:17).   Believe it or not, He knows you inside and out, and loves you anyway.   If you have questions, Jesus is the answer and the only way this society is really going to “feel good.” 

If that boggles your brain just take two aspirin and call me in the morning.  

This year for Mother’s Day I ran an Erma Bombeck column from 1974 that still rings true.  Being a gifted writer, Erma gave equal time to the fathers in 1973 and I thought I would share it with you as well.  Though Erma passed away in 1996 her wit and humor live on.  Some writings are extraordinary – just like fathers…

When God Created Fathers  

When the good Lord was creating fathers, He started with a tall frame.  

And a female angel nearby said, “What kind of father is that?  If you’re going to make children so close to the ground, why have you put fathers up so high?  He won’t be able to shoot marbles without kneeling, tuck a child in bed without bending, or even kiss a child without a lot of stooping.”

And God smiled and said, “Yes, but if I make him child size, who would children have to look up to?”

And when God made a father’s hands, they were large and sinewy.

And the angel shook her head sadly and said, “Do You know what You’re doing?  Large hands are clumsy.  They can’t manage diaper pins, small buttons, rubber bands on pony tails or even remove splinters caused by baseball bats.”

God smiled and said, “I know, but they’re large enough to hold everything a small boy empties from his pockets at the end of a day…yet small enough to cup a child’s face.”

Then God molded long, slim legs and broad shoulders.

The angel nearly had a heart attack. “Boy, this is the end of the week, all right,” she clucked.  “Do You realize You just made a father without a lap?  How is he going to pull a child close to him without the kid falling between his legs?”

God smiled and said, “A mother needs a lap.  A father needs strong shoulders to pull a sled, balance a boy on a bicycle or hold a sleepy head on the way home from the circus.”

God was in the middle of creating two of the largest feet anyone had ever seen when the angel could contain herself no longer.   “That’s not fair.  Do You honestly think those large boats are going to dig out of bed early in the morning when the baby cries?  Or walk through a small birthday party without crushing at least three of the guests?”

And God smiled and said, “They’ll work.  You’ll see.  They’ll support a small child who wants to ‘ride a horse to Banbury Cross’ or scare off mice at the summer cabin, or display shoes that will be a challenge to fill.”

God worked throughout the night, giving the father few words, but a firm authoritative voice; eyes that see everything, but remain calm and tolerant.   Finally, almost as an afterthought, He added tears. Then He turned to the angel and said, “Now are you satisfied that he can love as much as a mother?”

 And the angel shutteth up!

According to the June 15 edition of Entertainment Weekly Magazine last week’s History Channel’s six-hour miniseries Hatfields and McCoys became the highest rated basic cable entertainment program ever.  We Americans love a good fight – especially one that goes on and on and on.  

This show brought back some memories for me since we lived in Appalachia some thirty-five years ago near the very area where all the feudin’, fussin’, and fightin’ took place.  Actually, I even wrote some articles about the feud when I had a weekly history column for the Sentinel Echo Newspaper in London, KY called Patterns of the Past. 

So I dug out my dusty scrap book and reread them, then watched the History Channel documentary that preceded the miniseries.  I like to get the facts before I watch a movie and see how they distort them.  Plus, I was curious to compare the documentary with what my research revealed thirty-five years ago when I had to actually read books to get the information instead of surf the net.

I was happy that my research revealed much of what was covered in the documentary and the movie did not disappoint.  Of course, some creative license is always taken to tell a good story.  Just ask any man how big the fish was that got away.   

However, the movie did its best to include the main points of the feud even if they were a bit jumbled:  the Civil War, a stolen pig, land and timber rights, an out of wedlock pregnancy, the McCoy boys stabbing a Hatfield 26 times before shooting him, the Hatfields retaliating with an execution of the perpetrators, bounties put on the Hatfields heads, burning down the McCoy’s house on New Year’s Day, neighbors taking sides, Kentucky and West Virginia disputing,  Supreme Court involvement, a trial, hanging the one who shouldn’t have died – just your everyday murder and mayhem – except in a mountainous terrain.   

Now these were not vicious outlaws.  There were no “good guys” and “bad guys.”  Believe it or not, these were hospitable and friendly people.  They tried to use the law and courts at the time to settle disputes.  What they lacked in book learning they made up for with horse sense.  They ran successful businesses.  And although historians make it clear that no one knows how the feud actually started, obviously seeds of discord were gradually planted.  One thing led to another and before long it was all out of control.  Emotions, imputed motives, and grudges escalated into anger, rage, and revenge.

And here’s my point – it can happen to anyone.  Perhaps not to the same extent of the Hatfields and McCoys because they were in a secluded environment with a distorted concept of family loyalty during a time when guns were a part of everyday life, but how many of us jump to conclusions, hop on bandwagons, make snap decisions, and take sides without having all the facts – then justify our actions? 

It’s so much easier to retaliate than “love our enemies” when they are accusing us falsely, “settle with an adversary quickly” when we think we are in the right, and going the “extra mile” when we didn’t even want to go the first mile. (Matthew 5)  These are not easy things to do.  And frankly I wonder if anyone can do them without God leading them to do so.

Yet if we ever wonder what happens when we don’t inculcate these biblical principles into our lives, just think of the Hatfields and McCoys.  When we let circumstances spiral out of control there are no winners – only losers.  Even the Hatfields and McCoys finally realized this.  That’s why in Pikeville, KY on June 14, 2003, after 125 years of feuding sixty descendants of the original clans signed a document declaring an official end to the hatred and bloodshed.     

The treaty reads:  “We do hereby and formally declare an official end to all hostilities, implied, inferred, and real, between the families, now and forevermore. We ask by God’s grace and love that we be forever remembered as those that bound together the hearts of two families to form a family of freedom in America.”

Signing this paper is a symbolic gesture, but a step in the right direction.  However, the real change happens when we internalize what Jesus taught and let it be manifest in our actions.  Only then will the feudin’, fussin’, and fightin’ stop.        

The idea of Christian denominations is an interesting one. If God is so intent on unity of the faith (Ephesians 4:13), why are there so many denominations? I must admit I used to find that puzzling. How can all these denominations be right? How can all these denominations be wrong? It is an enigma.

Here is something to consider. There are certain Biblical beliefs we might call core values. Some of these would be believing there is one God, Jesus is His Son, Jesus came to earth, Jesus died for our sins, and Jesus rose again. However, there is much in other areas left up to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. If the Holy Spirit is guiding people who are seeking to serve God and worship Him in spirit and truth, then we must assume there are a variety of ways to do so since there are so many denominations. This shouldn’t be hard to accept since God loves variety and diversity.

There is a difference between Christian unity and diversity. Christian unity involves core values and beliefs, the trunk of the tree so to speak. Diversity on the other hand is how we choose to worship, trust, obey, believe, and have faith. These are what one might call the limbs and twigs of the tree.

Some call the Bible the instruction book for the saints. Well in that book God has made certain instructions plain and simple, but in other areas He has left much room for spirit led interpretation. To be on safe ground one must be praying, studying the Bible, doing the best he can to follow it and not condemning others who may not see eye to eye with him on everything.

Ah, therein lies the danger! Condemnation! (Romans 2:1; 14:9-11) In the past some denominations have been presumptuous enough to claim they are the “one” true church and judge others who do not agree with them in these diverse areas. However, God seems to give quite a bit of latitude in many areas even if man does not. Jesus, himself, defied traditions and looked not to pomp and circumstance but to a person’s heart.

Believe it or not, when “church” is mentioned in the Bible it is not referring to a denomination. In the Greek it is “ecclesia” meaning “those who have been called out.” They have been “called out” of a world that rejects God and “into” a fellowship with God and others who believe in Him. These “ecclesia” could very well be found in every denomination. You might recognize them because they won’t be condemning others who believe in Jesus but have a slightly different way of serving Him. They will be focused on the trunk of the tree, not the twigs.

Christian comedienne Chonda Pierce spoke at an interdenominational Women’s Conference I attended a few years ago. I was amazed because she actually had women laughing at the diversity in their denominations. These women weren’t laughing at each other; they were laughing with one another. In fact, we all laughed together at diversities that tend to separate us, but we all cried together over the death of the one who unites us…Jesus Christ.

When all is said and done I guess Jesus Christ is the real unity of the faith!

In honor of Memorial Day I thought I would share this poem – a tribute to all the soldiers who know that the cost of freedom is not free.

The Final Inspection 

(Author Unknown)

The Soldier stood and faced God,

Which must always come to pass.

He hoped his shoes were shining,

Just as brightly as his brass.

“Step forward now, Soldier.

How shall I deal with you?

Have you always turned the other cheek?

To My Church have you been true?”

The soldier squared his shoulders and said,

“No, Lord, I guess I ain’t,

Because those of us who carry guns,

Can’t always be a saint.

I’ve had to work most Sundays,

And at times my talk was tough.

And sometimes I’ve been violent,

Because the world is awfully rough.

But I never passed a cry for help,

Though at times I shook with fear,

And sometimes, God, forgive me,

I’ve wept unmanly tears.

I know I don’t deserve a place

Among the people here.

They never wanted me around,

Except to calm their fear.

If you’ve a place for me here, Lord,

It needn’t be so grand.

I never expected or had too much,

But if you don’t, I’ll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne,

Where the saints had often trod,

As the Soldier waited quietly,

For the judgment of his God.

“Step forward now, you Soldier

You’ve borne your burdens well.

Walk peacefully on Heaven’s street,

You’ve done your time in Hell.”

Blessings are mentioned specifically over 400 times throughout the Bible and implied many more. No wonder Christians use the term freely in their walk with God. Prayers are filled with asking God to bless our children, grandchildren, spouses, parents, relatives, friends, co-workers and so on. We sign our cards with “God bless” and use phrases like “Have a blessed day.” There is no better word to describe God’s goodness towards us and hopefully we thank him daily for our blessings. However, I think it’s also important that we be a blessing to others.

When God told Abraham to leave his country, God told him what he would do. “I will make you a great nation. I will bless you. I will make you a great name and you will be a blessing.” (Genesis 12:1, 2) The NLT says, “…and you will be a blessing to others.” I meditate on that scripture a lot. Am I a blessing to others?

We know it is more blessed to give than receive. (Acts 20:35) We know that we should share our blessings with others. (Matthew 10:37) But I think being a blessing to others goes deeper than that. A blessing is something conducive to happiness, good fortune, or a godsend. Do people feel better or blessed just being around us? Or would they rather hang out with someone with a brighter outlook on life?

As Christians we are the light of the world. (Matthew 5:14-16) Our job is not to solve the world’s problems, but show forth a little light in the darkness. Does our very presence light up the world of those we meet? Or do we light up a room and make everyone happy by leaving, which is just another way of asking, “Are we a blessing to others?”

Being a blessing to others is not contingent on everything going right in our lives. When Paul and Silas were imprisoned they chose not to curse their situation. They still praised God. Their example blessed the other prisoners and the prison guards. (Acts 16:25-31) Sometimes our actions during times of adversity can bless others and we won’t even know it. If we yield to God he can do miraculous things through us that we are totally unaware of.

We really don’t know how many lives we touch. It is said that one person can influence up to 10,000 people in a lifetime. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could be a blessing to each and every one of them in some small way? I think I’d settle for just being a blessing to my family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers.

My nature isn’t one to spread sunshine where ever I go so I need a little extra help in that area. That’s why I continually ask God, “Please make me a blessing – to others!”

Erma Bombeck was a gifted writer whose playful prose is legendary.  The following is from her Mother’s Day column for May 12, 1974.  Though Erma passed away in 1996 her wit and humor live on.  Some writings are extraordinary – just like mothers… 

When the good Lord was creating mothers, He was into his sixth day of “overtime” when an angel appeared and said, “You’re doing a lot of fiddling around on this one.”

And the Lord said, “Have you read the specs on this order?

• She has to be completely washable, but not plastic;
• Have 180 movable parts… all replaceable;
• Run on black coffee and leftovers;
• Have a lap that disappears when she stands up;
• A kiss that can cure anything from a broken leg to a disappointed love affair;
• And six pairs of hands.”

The angel shook her head slowly and said, “Six pairs of hands… no way.”

“It’s not the hands that are causing me problems,” said the Lord. “It’s the three pairs of eyes that mothers have to have.”

“That’s on the standard model?” asked the angel.

The Lord nodded. “One pair that sees through closed doors when she asks, ‘What are you kids doing in there?’ when she already knows, another here in the back of her head that sees what she shouldn’t but what she has to know, and of course the ones here in front that can look at a child when he goofs up and say, ‘I understand and I love you’ without so much as uttering a word.”

“Lord,” said the angel, touching His sleeve gently, “Go to bed. Tomorrow…”

“I can’t,” said the Lord, “I’m so close to creating something so close to myself. Already I have one who heals herself when she is sick… can feed a family of six on one pound of hamburger… and can get a nine-year-old to stand under a shower.”

The angel circled the model of a mother very slowly. “It’s too soft,” she sighed.

“But she’s tough!” said the Lord excitedly. “You cannot imagine what this mother can do or endure.”

“Can it think?”

“Not only can it think, but it can reason and compromise,” said the Creator.

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek. “There’s a leak,” she pronounced. “I told You that You were trying to push too much into this model.”

“It’s not a leak,” said the Lord. “It’s a tear.”

“What’s it for?”

“It’s for joy, sadness, disappointment, pain, loneliness, and pride.”

“You are a genius,” said the angel.

The Lord looked somber. “I didn’t put it there,” He said.