SPORTMOM: I'll continue now . . ."Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us."
GOD: WHAT ABOUT ANN?
See? I knew it! I knew you would bring her up! Why Lord, she's told lies about me, spread stories about my family. She never paid back the debt she owes me. I've sworn to get even with her!
BUT WHAT ABOUT YOUR PRAYER?
I didn't mean it
.
WELL, AT LEAST YOU'RE HONEST. BUT IT'S NOT MUCH UN CARRYING THAT LOAD OF BITTERNESS AROUND INSIDE, IS IT?
No. But I'll feel better as soon as I get even. Boy, have I got some plans for that neighbor. She'll wish she had never moved into this neighborhood.
YOU WON'T FEEL ANY BETTER . . . IN FACT YOU'LL FEEL WORSE. REVENGE ISN'T SWEET. THINK OF HOW UNHAPPY YOU ALREADY ARE. BUT I CAN CHANGE ALL OF THAT . . .
You can? How?
FORGIVE HER. THEN I'LL FORGIVE YOU - THE HATE AND SIN WILL BE HER PROBLEM AND NOT YOURS. YOU WILL HAVE SETTLED YOUR HEART.
Oh, you're right. You always are. And more than I want to revenge I want to be right with her and I want to be right with
you.....(pause).....(sigh). All right. All right. I forgive her. Please help her to find the right road in life, Lord. She's bound to be awfully miserable now that I think about it. Anybody who goes around doing the things she does to others has to be out of it. Someway, somehow, show her the right way.
THERE NOW! GOOD JOB! HOW DO YOU FEEL?
Hmmmmmm. Well, not bad. Not bad at all. In fact, I feel pretty great! You know, I don't think I'll have to go to bed uptight tonight for the > first time since I can remember. Maybe I won't be so tired from now on because I'm not getting enough rest.
YOU'RE NOT THROUGH WITH YOUR PRAYER . . . GO ON
(to be continued)
