(3 min read) Chris and Jerry lived next to each other. They were the same age and their parents were friends. Their proximity was a great catalyst in developing a friendship that grew stronger and stronger each day, and they became like two peas in a pod.

Somewhere along the way, Jerry started hanging out with the wrong kids. These new friends were bullying others. Chris of course was worried sick for Jerry. Chris knew that if Jerry, or any of his bully friends, just had a good talking to, they’d see that what they are doing is only hurting others.  Whenever Chris would approach the subject with Jerry, he would brush him off. Jerry at one point decided the only way to have Chris stop harassing him, is to turn his new friends against his best friend Chris.

Jerry and his friends mocked Chris and made fun of him. They humiliated him over and over again. Chris was so angry but much more than that he was hurt. Hurt and wounded, that Jerry of all people would do this to him. Chris decided that he will never as much as say a word to Jerry ever again.

Chris was not hiding from Jerry and his friends, he just did not want to see Jerry, as just the sight of Jerry brought the typhoon of emotions of how could Jerry do this to me. So Chris became very good at avoiding Jerry. What Chris could not avoid was the stories that classmates would share about the bullies. It pained Chris to hear the terrible things about Jerry and his friends.

Chris thought to himself; In spite of everything Jerry is doing, I still hold him dear in my heart. He is and always will be my childhood best friend. I have a choice to make:

• I can continue avoiding him, and spare myself the humiliation, but then I will have zero chance of influencing Jerry’s life.
• I can make myself available to him, probably get picked on, made fun of and humiliated, but then my presence maybe just maybe will at some point make a difference in Jerry’s life.

God is present with us at all times, just like two peas in a pod. God makes Himself available in spite of how you and me do things probably daily that may not please him, and it indeed hurts our Lord and Creator when we do that.

This ‘makes Himself available’ is forgiveness, for without forgiveness He cannot make Himself available. I believe God wants you and me to dwell in the fact that He is available and be thankful for it without the distraction of wondering how can our Lord and Creator continue to make Himself available.  Till next time 🙂