I am simply amazed by what we can learn from our kids.
As a father, I am VERY protective of my kids. I know you may be, too.
But when it comes to my son, I have been even more protective, especially with the move and a lot of what he has been dealing with.
We had some friends over the other day. One of their boys, Tim, used to be a close friend of my sons until an incident occurred a couple of years ago.
I then “banished” that boy from his friendship circle and wouldn’t allow my son to play with that boy.
Now, in reality, those boys were just being boys. But my son got hurt, and I will not tolerate that with either of my children – or any of my family, for that matter.
Well, the other day, their family was coming over to the house. Before the kids even got there, my son pulled me aside.
“Daddy, I forgive Tim,” my son said.
His tone was soft, serious, his face a picture of sincerity. I was amazed.
Even as I write this, tears are welling up in my eyes.
“Daddy, I forgive Tim.”
Why is it so hard to forgive sometimes? To move forward?
Maybe we should never forget, but we can move on.
There have been so many relationships in my life that have ended, some that should have, some that should not have. Many of these relationships were worth being mended or adjusted, but not ended.
Sometimes, it is so difficult to see the forest beyond the trees. We don’t have perspective in the moment. Our anger, our ego, and even our fear take over.
But there comes a time when it’s healthy to start letting those things go, to start focusing on what is important.
Then, maybe we, too, can forgive with the purity and sincerity of a child and finally move forward.
-J.D.