I don’t think I really have a very good grasp of what forgiveness is, as it is played out between human beings. Dan Beachy was at our church for meetings this week on the topic of Marriage and Child Training (just what I needed) and this morning he talked about restoring relationships—forgiveness.

So let’s say I put ketchup at the end of my brother’s bed because I felt like he embarrassed me in front of a bunch of girls, and let’s say I soon realize what a childish and hurtful thing that was to do.

To ask his forgiveness for that is to ask him to release me of the responsibility to get even. Dan illustrated it by the idea of a scales. When I wrong someone, I tip the scales out of balance, and when I ask for forgiveness and the person grants it, they release their "right" to balance the scales, which might include, in this case, drenching my pillow with ranch dressing.