Can-You-Believe-They-Did-That-To-Me

I think we’ve been here before.

We’re sitting here drinking coffee, talking, and it’s going great. I’m in the middle of one of those Can-You-Believe-They-Did-That-To-Me stories.

I’m about up to the stupidest, meanest part of what they did when he interrupts me.

Holds up his hand.

Clears his throat. Loudly. Not subtle.

Looks right at me. Leans over the table toward me.

And says, “Forgive as the Lord forgave  you.” Then he leans back and looks around the place.

I almost shout at him as I say, “You gotta be kidding me! You haven’t heard the worst part yet, Paul!”

A guy at the table to my left: “Couldn’t help but overhear. You’re kinda loud. But he’s right. Forgive like I forgave.”

I snap around to my left and realize we’ve talked before. Recently. When I’d said, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

Oops.

Paul hands me a book. “It’s in here. Colossians 3:13. Look it up: ‘Forgive as the Lord forgave you.'”