Second Thoughts ~ The Samaritan Snare

Greetings Dear Reader, 

I am writing this from Central Florida where the temperature was 101 today.  I have not been to Florida in five years and much has changed since then in my life.  One of those changes is working hard at being lovingly unoffendable.  It is not easy. 

A friend from my twenties has been asking me for months to visit him the next time I drive through his area.  This trip to Florida presented just such an opportunity.   We greeted each other warmly and instantly fell into conversation resembling what we used to share almost daily in college.  After dinner with his spouse and son, he asked if we could talk privately.  Of course, I agreed.

 For the next two hours, my friend explained what a failure he believed me to be and how wasted he believes my life is.  He recounted the many sins I had from nearly forty years ago and how disappointed he considered God must be with me.  He told he did not see any way for the Father to use me in the lives of others.  He made it clear I was just a vessel of dishonor in his eyes. 

As he spoke, so did the Spirit.  The message was clear.  Own your past sin.  Ask for forgiveness.  Do not get angry.  Forgive his unkindness as he expresses.  Do not let any of this rest on you.  You see, I know the Father has forgiven me even if my friend has not.  Do not think I am anything special here.  I did fail him.  I was in the wrong back then.   

I also believe it is rare for the Father to refuse to use a repentant heart.   I was deeply hurt but I do not wish the Father to chastise this man.  What I do wish is for him to find peace.  What I desire is for him to walk in faith, fully forgiven, and loving the Father will all he is.  I do not know if this is the case for him, but it is my heart’s desire. 

As I drove through North Florida today, I recalled how I pray for those who are in error or who have hurt me.  I pray the Lord’s Prayer over them like this:  Father in heaven, help him to hallow your name.  Let your kingdom come into his life.  Let your will be done in his life.  Provide for him daily for all his needs.  Forgive his trespasses and give him the power to forgive those who have trespassed against him.  Lead him away from temptation.  Deliver him from the evil one.  Let him always acknowledge that yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever; amen. 

There is so much peace in this, Dear Reader.  I want to be a good Samaritan.  The snare is to defend ourselves and think we should be offended.  The snare is to worry about what others think.  The way out is love, grace, and mercy.  It is what we all need.  

Wishing you joy in the journey, 

Aramis Thorn
Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”
(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Every human story is part of the great story that leads to the Father getting everything back to Good.

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You can be trapped even when trying to do good.