Matthew 18:21-35

seven times?
i think
i reached that number
by the age of 5 -
but you kept on forgiving me;

seventy-seven times?
i easily surpassed
that figure
before i was
old enough to drive -
but that didn't stop you;

so why
am i so reluctant
to give a dipperful of water
from the river of grace
in which i swim
to someone else?

have patience with me, Lord:
until i learn
that forgiveness
is not a score i keep
but a life i live
over

and over

and over

and over

until i lose count.
Amen.

(c) 2005 Thom M. Shuman