High Road Leads to a Bike, The

by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown

It was a year ago that Joshua Saffle got a bike for Christmas, and he rode it every day. That is, until recently, when the bike was gone from its usual place. Running to his front yard, Joshua, 9, saw a man loading it into his car. He shouted, but the man drove off. Mrs. Saffle said Joshua has strong faith, and told his dad he forgave the thief. What's more, he wanted the thief to know he was forgiven. So the next day, he dictated a message that his mother wrote on a large poster-board. He signed it, stapled it to a sawhorse and put it in the front yard. ''To the person who stole my bike: You really hurt my feelings when you took my bike. But I am a Christian and beause (sic) Jesus forgave me, I FORGIVE YOU!!'' When Joshua's father left for work the next day, the sign was face-down in the yard. But then, at the end of the driveway, the bike was back, and with new handlebars, grips and a new front fork assembly.

Are Your Potatos Heavy ?

by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown

A teacher once told each of her students to bring a clear plastic bag and a sack of potatoes to school. For every person they refuse to forgive in their life's experience, they chose a potato, wrote on it the name and date, and put it in the plastic bag. Some of their bags were quite heavy.
They were then told to carry this bag with them everywhere for one week, putting it beside their bed at night, on the car seat when driving, next to their desk at work.
The hassle of lugging this around with them made it clear what a weight they were carrying spiritually, and how they had to pay attention to it all the time to not forget and keep leaving it in embarrassing places. Naturally, the condition of the potatoes deteriorated to a nasty smelly slime. This was a great metaphor for the price we pay for keeping our pain and heavy negativity! Too often we think of forgiveness as a gift to the other person, and it clearly is for ourselves!