Saturday, March 09, 2013

The Shelf life of a Twinkie




Twinkies are an interesting compound. People have been having fun poking fun at them for years. Scientists have been overheard saying that wrapped up and left in the dark untouched, a twinkie can last 47 years. Maybe longer. 

Bitterness has the shelflife of a Twinkie.

This is a blog post I wrote at the beginning of our ordeal in Eureka, Ca. 

I just got Allie to sleep. Every night for the past week, Allie works herself into a frenzy. Picture a little baby that pinches his little finger or bumps his little head. The child panics and mom hugs the little one and in a few minutes the baby is comforted. Quiet. 
Now picture the same child unable to be consoled for hours; screaming and huffing and puffing for six or seven hours every night. It transforms the charming and beautiful Susan into a frazzled wreck. And me, well I'm emotionally drained and collapse physically exhausted into bed every night. I wake up every day wondering if it will get any better. 
Will this change or is this going to be my life? 
When this first happened to Allie, I had an attitude and posture of forgiveness and reconciliation toward the young man that hurt her. But now, it seems like I have to forgive him all over again several times a day. I ain't got it in me. 
I'm motivated to do a study on biblical forgiveness. I've already outlined it. I need to make an adjustment in my thinking. My theology isn't working for me these days. If I follow through with this study, I'll let you know how the Spirit is applying truth to my life. 
Please don't stop praying for us. 

Timmy got our of prison last fall. I don't think this could be a story if he just stayed in prison and we lived happily ever after. How would we actually have the chance to experience extending forgiveness.

I don't think I've experienced it yet. I don't know if there is anything to feel. Maybe you just think forgiveness. 

I know what it's like to get forgiveness. And I know what it's like to give little forgiveness. But can I do big forgiveness?

Holding on to unforgiveness makes you bitter. I know that. It stunts the flow of good, kingdom building energy. There's only one time that we can give forgiveness. That comes after we've been wronged. If we never get wronged, then we're never able to act toward others the way God acts toward us; extending full forgiveness for trespasses committed against Him.

Should I be an agent of God's goodness, or should I get bitter? Can I hold out longer than a Twinkie?

3 comments:

Mike West said...

Interesting segue but it works for me. Could there be a harder lesson in forgiveness? I doubt it.
Write on bro'...

Bryonm said...

Thanks, Mike. I appreciate your encouragement and feedback.

Unknown said...

I like the Twinkie analogy... it fits. Sugar high, sugar-high dump... but it stays in your system. Same with bitterness, unforgiveness.
I'm looking forward to what comes out of your "pen" (err, mac) next!
Maybe a life-Bible study on forgiveness will be part of what comes through all the writing... stranger things have happened & it would be real and practical...unlike "reality shows";-)