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Article Archive |
2007
The Secret of Making Things Right
by Jim Morris
My uncle Paul sat in his recliner evidently pondering what he had just read out of the old, dusty, history book laying in his lap. Amazement lit up his face. His eyes sparkled like those of a child even though his face was lined and worn. He was retired, single and living in a spare room at his sister's house.
Suddenly, I realized that he probably did not have time to be troubled with a small ten year old kid like me. Yet, I also knew that he always had listened to me before. Besides, he could tell the most fascinating stories from history or legends, and they always made me feel better.
Well, I didn't want to bother my uncle Paul. I really didn't. But I had to talk with him. My brother and I had been playing when we ended up fighting. Funny, but I don't even remember “why” we were fighting. Mom and dad didn't want to talk about it. They just said, “You kids quit fighting!” All I know is that every time I thought of my brother I just wanted to punch him!
Finally, I summoned up enough courage to ask, “Uncle Paul, can I talk to you?” He looked over at me standing in his doorway. When he saw me a big smile filled his face. He said, “Jimmy, come on in!” I felt better already.
I told him the long sad tale of our fighting — the unfairness, the injustice of it all, the need for revenge! Uncle Paul furrowed his brow and nodded his head in understanding. “I see that you have a problem like someone else I know,” he said.
Paul got up from his recliner and went to his desk spilling over with books. He found the one he wanted and said, “Ah, let me tell you a story of a young man who sought revenge for the wrongs done to him.”
After hearing the story, of the consequences of revenge, and of the noble sacrifices of forgiveness, then I saw my little brother in a new light. The anger was gone. Peace was restored.
My uncle Paul knew the secret of making things right between people. He filled his mind with thoughts of good things and shared them with others along life's way. He learned that secret from another Paul from another place and another time who said, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8-9).
09-19-07
# 38
