Amends

In 40 years of twelve-step programs, psychotherapy, and Bible study, I’ve concluded what many of you might already know: making amends and asking for forgiveness takes a huge monkey off one’s back. Note: we’re NOT talking about forgiving [which also is for the primary benefit of the forgiver]; it’s the reverse thereof, and absolutely independent of whether the other party accepts my overture. [See Matthew 5:23-4]. It wasn’t until recently, however, that I discovered that becoming thankful for that relief—a conscious choice—eliminates resentments, which are dangerous, if not destructive. In fact, the choice of gratitude for the grace of being able to see my errors and request forgiveness clears my conscience and changes my outlook on practically everything else. It seems to put them all into a new perspective, and it certainly removes a block from my prayer life. How come we get so old soon and so smart late?