On Sunday, Shannon and I went to Jubilee for the first time. The theme was forgiveness. As a former classroom educator, I can confidently say that children are our best teachers. I remember a situation when a second grader stole from one of her classmates. Obviously, a very sly thief, no one in the class knew who was to blame until I questioned the class; and then, I could tell by her body language that this young girl was guilty. Sneaky, but not without a conscience. The next day, I gave the girl two options, one of which was to apologize to her classmate for stealing. This was her choice and so when I sat the two girls down, an apology was freely offered.
     To this day, I still remember how easily Rebecca, the young girl whose belongings had been stolen, changed her demeanor from surprise to forgiveness. She opened her arms to her classmate and offered her friendship. All had been forgiven.
     Where along the way has humanity, but really us older folk, become so conditioned to hold contempt in our hearts instead of love?
     I admit I remember thinking that day I don't think I could have so easily forgiven; and yet, looking back at that now, I realize it would have installed a thread of anger in my being should I have chosen any differently, if given the circumstances, than Rebecca. One could argue, children are just lackadaisical and do not have the attention span to harbor the ill feelings we adults typically allow to fester in our own hearts. And yet . . . give this some thought . . . what if children just understand how to truly live in the Now Moment....interesting!

Forgiveness is not a punishment we grudgingly give to be polite. It is a space we choose to exist in that honors the light that is within us all.

An apology is not something to be enforced upon anyone because it is only when offered freely that the heart can begin to understand truth.

~Kate Winnie