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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: REDEEM (03/03/22)
My wife has a deep love for old things. She always has done, which I find reassuring, for getting old is something I’ve started to become very good at.

We look less like the unwrinkled, dark-haired kids in our wedding photos, and we’re starting to hear quiet messages from our bodies, like, “Sorry that we didn’t let you know before this, but what we used to do for you so often isn’t going to happen as often – if it happens at all. And if it does happen, it’s going to take much longer, it’s also going to hurt, and the pain will stick around for some time afterwards…”

Yes, we are closer to the crypt than we are to the cradle, but we have no funeral companies on speed dial, for there’s still plenty of room for hope, because God has not yet finished with us. Even so, I’m not expecting to mimic eighty-year-old Caleb’s request to take on the high country to subdue it when Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land.

Our memories are rich and strong, but they could never be mistaken for an uninterrupted flow of fame, success, and bliss.

Oh, we’ve been blessed, and we still are blessed – and hopefully we’re still able to extend God’s grace to the folks in our circle of influence. But some memories are soured with pain of illnesses and accidents; of bad choices; of other folks’ betrayal, neglect, or gossip and false accusations.

And that’s where the adventure and the peace of forgiveness kick in. For whenever the negative memories try to invade our sleeping or daylight hours, we can recall how God has stepped in to bring healing and new direction that we might never have explored, or even considered, had those down times not happened…

Peter once asked Jesus about possibly picking up any credit with God by forgiving his brother seven times. Which makes me wonder how disagreeable Andrew could have been, unless there was a third unnamed brother who was constantly dragging down the family name.

Jesus’ reply, “Not seven, but seventy times seven!” was no advertisement for the latest model spiritual abacus, but a reminder to trust God with the forgiveness than only he can provide. To keep counting how many times we forgive will only harden our attitudes – and our arteries – in a mix of resentment if we can’t let the memory go, or spiritual pride if we keep count of our generosity (That’s three hundred and sixty two times I’ve forgiven Jack and Mary now. Oh wow, did God ever have such fantastic people to work with before I arrived?)

And yes, folks, there’s a very short answer to that question…

Forgiving ourselves and others – even when they don’t deserve it or admit to any hurt they have caused us – redeems our time, as a pathway to pace and gratitude for how Jesus became sin for us and rose again to release us from its power to hold us down. And when peace and gratitude team up together, we start to find new possibilities to explore personally, or to encourage more energetic people to explore.

For despite any inroads from frail age, our prayers can go where we cannot, to continue and extend the redemption that comes straight from God’s heart for those who may want it least – even as they need it the most.

Yes, age brings fresh perspectives on the destructive trends that are sadly being enthusiastically embraced by so many loud voices. But being armed with the confidence of seeing how God has intervened for us – by surprise and through consciously preparing us – we are sure that his redemption will have the ultimate say.
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This article has been read 479 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Corinne Smelker 
03/10/22
This one made me chuckle - the line about Andrew's disagreeable brother was gold. I bet this places high with the judges.
Jennifer Percell
03/10/22
Great take on this later season many of us are in. It's a good age all in all and you are carrying it well!
Laurie Kiel 
03/11/22
I LOVED this piece. It reminded me of how my ophthalmologist would tease me about getting old. I would tell him it’s better than the alternative. And he would say “that’s right, better older than dirt then under the dirt.” Like Mary Poppins and her spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down the laughs you bring make your points even more powerful. I too laughed at the Andrew line. Great job.
Laurie Kiel 
03/11/22
I forgot to say I really liked when you said:
Yes, we are closer to the crypt than we are to the cradle,

will only harden our attitudes – and our arteries
Terry R A Eissfeldt 
03/18/22
Congratulations!
Verna Cole Mitchell 
03/18/22
This is a wonderful display of how Christ's redemption of us is example fouls to redeem others. Even with a serious subject, your light hearted touch always makes me smile. I'd have placed it much higher! Incidentally, I'm so glad you liked mine, then again, then again! ; )
Judy Sauer 
03/18/22
Congratulations, Noel! This is an awesome read. Well done!
C D Swanson 
03/18/22
Noel,

Congrats!
This was an entry so many of us can relate to. It made me smile, made me pause, and brought forth an affirmation of God's Redemption, that is ever flowing and there for all of us to 'bathe' in.

Nicely done my friend,

Blessings~
Holly Westefeld
03/18/22
Congratulations, Noel, on your fifth place EC for this on point entry with just the right amount of levity. I especially like the imagery of a spiritual abacus.
Mariane Holbrook
03/20/22
Bravo! Kudos! Congrats! Good job! Way to go, Noel. While I couldn't come up with anything beyond the title of this week's Challenge, you come up with a masterpiece. My only complaint is that you didn't place MUCH higher in the ratings. Now I worry about all the times I've picked on you and your kangaroos and whether I need to be forgiven! :-)