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Forgiveness & Coca Cola

10/15/2009

2 Comments

 
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I was thinking recently about my grandmother who passed away when I was 18. Lord I loved that woman, she was strong in body, mind and spirit. She was wise. I remember when I had my first heartbreak she said to me it would not be my last and she was right; she said I would love again, and again. She really had a wisdom that far surpassed any education she might have had. And she ruled the family like an empress....

...but in those heady teenage years of mine there were times when I foolishly dared to try to assert my own will over her's. I never won. While she had a quick tongue and a quicker hand when I was a child, she unleashed the most potent weapon against me as a teen; SILENCE. She would simply cut me off, not a touch, not a word, she would not even call my name. I always felt so far removed from her love in those times  that it hurt far deeper than whatever caused us to fall out in the first place.

Now in those days Coca Cola was sold in the short curvy glass bottle with 24 in a case. I've always loved Coke and so did she although as a diabetic she never ventured more than one sip from my bottle, but it was ALWAYS the first sip. One day while I was 'suffering' the 'treatment' I went and took a bottle from the fridge and opened it but there was no way I could take the first sip, just no way. To do that would cause irreparable damage, so I went sheepishly to her and extended the bottle to her in our unspoken ritual; she took it. And my world was whole once again, all was forgiven and we could carry on, move forward. After that I always used Coca Cola as my peace offering. She never refused. I never needed to say 'Im sorry' nor did she ever need to say 'I forgive you'. Offering and acceptance was enough. Of course since her passing and as I grew into adulthood I realized that she never stopped loving me; breakfast was always on the table as usual and all the things she lovingly did for the family as well. I realized her silence might not have been as much anger as it was hurt. I had hurt her. So many times she forgave me, so many sips of Coke. God Bless her.

Offering and acceptance and all is forgiven. I've come to realize that maybe God is not so much angry as he is hurt by what I do and fail to do. The remorse I feel, the repentance in my heart is all the 'first sip' offering I need to make. He'll always accept and we can move on, move forward.

But be warned: forgiveness is contagious; as we experience it we are also able to forgive others. Offering and acceptance and all is forgiven, we can move on, move forward. It's that simple, just like drinking Coca Cola. Try it. Peace.
2 Comments
accessoires psp link
10/27/2009 09:31:53 pm

Thanks for sharing such nice story here. It is interesting to read. I like this site and will visit it again.

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Seth DeMoor link
10/30/2009 03:47:27 pm

I am trying to get my new Catholic blog up and running out here in Colorado and would love for you and others to check it out. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. In January, I will be launching a new project for the Church and my blog will be the main platform to let the world know about it. I hope you will follow the adventure. Blessings.

http://sjdemoor.wordpress.com/

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    Hi, welcome to my weekly blog. I'm deacon Michel and I love blogging and the healthy exchange of constructive ideas. Now my mind has been known to wander on a million different things all at once so don't be surprised at what you find here. I often scratch my head and go 'Huh?' at my own thoughts. Feel free to leave a comment and share your thoughts with me.

    Disclaimer

    This blog reflects MY ongoing Christian journey: insights gained through the Holy Spirit, my experiences, my  studies, my relationships. The content of this website is solely that of Deacon Michel du Chaussee, and does not represent the Archdiocese of Miami or any other entity of the Roman Catholic Church in any official capacity. Needless to say, I hope that none of my writings are contrary to the doctrines of faith and morals that are reflected in Sacred Tradition or as taught and guarded by the Magisterium of the Church or to the truths of God as revealed in the Holy Scriptures.
    For I take seriously what a very wise man has often said to me:

    "Ordination is not license for private practice" - Msgr. A. Andersen

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  • Welcome to My Place
  • Deacon's blog: Rambling of a Scrambling Mind
  • Who is a Deacon?
  • Questions on our Faith: Ask Deacon Michel
  • Lenten Meditations
  • Links to other great resources
  • EVENTS