My granddaughter’s kindergarten teacher won “Teacher of the Year.” I asked why. “It’s the way she teaches us how to write. When we make a mistake, we don’t erase it. Instead, we circle it and leave it on the page. That way we get to correct our mistake and learn from it too.” Maybe you’re already an educator and know all about this method. If so, forgive me a few times.
I was impressed. You circle with forgiveness. You never stop.
Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy-seven times.” – Matthew 18:21-22 (NLT)
This way of learning is so much better than mine. I’m always looking for AFLEs: another frigging learning experience. Perhaps instead of getting so close to profanity so often, I would do so much better to circle back and remember my mistakes.
One that could use a circle is pride in my own humility. Another is not respecting people who don’t like DEI. A third is ridiculing them. A fourth is being angry when they ridicule me in return. Who started that cycle and lost their circle? Who put who down first? Did women really scare the white heterosexual masculine upsurge so much that it is now making America a “men’s room” again? Shall we be humbler? No. Shall we be more prideful? No.
What about being more forgiving? Jesus’ math about forgiveness pertains. It’s a circle. Inside each circle, there is that big thing called grace—the opposite of the great demerit, the constant shame and blame and pride and puffing up. It is the unmerited part of living. Unmerited is the opposite of demerit.
Prayer ~ Help us to pray to normalize grace, O God, and to become teachers and learners from all. Infuse us with this grace. Amen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Donna Schaper is an interim Pastor at the United Church of Gainesville, Florida, and author, most recently of Remove the Pews—first from your theology, then from your building.