Did y'all watch the Masters this year? My Dad is a huge golf guy, and Walker is a big sports fan in general, so while I didn't tune in, I heard a good bit about it. And let me just say, I am NOT a golf lover. I can never keep an eye on the dang ball! Its like, microscopic. I mean, it just disappears into the sky, and people automatically know to either clap or moan? It is such a mystery to me. One I don't plan on wasting any time solving. Anyways, most of what I heard about this year's tournament dealt with Tiger Woods, and his long awaited comeback.
Oh and by the way...did you hear? Tiger is changing his first name to Cheetah? Ha ha ha. Couldn't resist.
I am not a fan of the Tigs. Not one bit. But in our conversations over the past few days, Walker has been saying again and again how badly he wants Tiger to do well, to come back. My initial reaction was, of course, that my fiancé is um...crazy. But then he gave this humbling, home-hitting, honest explanation that left me feeling pretty convicted. Walker explained that he really enjoys seeing people, "normal" or famous, come back from adversity.
Our conversation begged the question, could I say the same about myself? I mean sure I forgive Tiger Woods, but am I really rooting for him to succeed? Sadly, no. Or an ex-boyfriend...do I forgive him for things that went wrong? Sure! But do I also secretly hope the next girl he dates realizes what a dud he really is and kicks him to the curb? Sadly, yes. #sincewebeinghonest.
I began to think about the dark, helpless circle of doom that would be my life...if my friends, my family, and especially God, defined forgiveness the way that I sometimes do. I have learned that the most effective forgiveness is a two step process, and it is an attitude. Christ does not simply forgive me for what I've done wrong. He actively roots for me to rebound by giving me opportunities to succeed. Thankfully, I have surrounded myself with people who are such a beautiful reflection of God, and they do the same thing. Forgiveness from them not only means the past is put behind us, but they take it one step farther and encourage me to keep on the narrow road.
This realization has come at just the perfect time! I am so grateful for Walker, and the way he points me to Christ without even knowing it. Learning what it means to go "one step past forgiveness" will certainly help us in our new marriage. It is such an encouragement as this new week begins to know that Christ is undoubtedly rooting for me to always make my own spiritual comeback. With all that I've learned from one little golf tournament, I may just be tuning in more often!
"Who is a God like You, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; You will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea." --Micah 7:18-19
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