Thanks, Shorty!

Sometimes, it's just good to go home.

Today was one of those days.
The church was nearly
empty when I arrived.
I thought I was late.
But instead, I was 45-minutes early.
The extra time provided me an opportunity for reflection.

I'd been carrying a burden -
one totally unrelated to this day's events.

Yet in this place, I felt it begin to lift.

The funeral readings

and songs carried

the burden higher.

But it wasn't until after the reception meal
that I was given the tools to let go.

Out-of-the-blue,
her grieving son-in-law
came to me saying,
"I'm getting too old to hold grudges."

He explained how his career as a prison guard
had opened his eyes. His mission with the prisoners became to help them see: It's healthier to live with a respect for the afterlife so that "There's nothing to lose."

Then it dawned on me:

In The Lord's Prayer,

Jesus teaches

his friends to pray,

"Give us this day

our daily bread,

and forgive us our sins

AS we forgive those

who sin against us."

Forgiveness is the key -

to lifting burdens,

to heaven

and to peace.

Suddenly I realized:

I'm getting too old to hold grudges too. 

He finished his story noting 

that after having served

their sentenced time

and on their way out

the door to "freedom,"

the released prisoners

would smile and say,

"Thanks, Shorty!" 

Tonight I echo

those sentiments

and RELEASE.