Boeing 747

I come across an irritable situation today. Saturday, the prime time to catch up with friends and stuff in Melbourne, I "receive a Boeing 747" (it's a Canton slang) from a friend, Mr. X. A big thank you to him! In an usual "receiving Boeing 747" situation, I would be reasonable and forgiving the person because emergency does happen. However, I react to this Boeing 747 situation differently today. Let me explain.

The timing of events clearly indicates the entire situation is absolutely ridiculous, and his behavior is very inconsiderate. Bloody hell! Why waste my time? Does he know I had to rush off my previous appointment and drive 45 minutes to where we suppose to meet, and then drive 30 minutes back home a mintue after I arrived? Blah. I am pissed off. I have to tell him straight that I did go to where we suppose to meet and am making my way home. In the meantime, I am trying hard to hold off my anger and frustrations.

I have received four apology text messages, including the first message that is sent out 30 minutes after the original time of appointment and tells me cancellation of our plan. As usual, he applies his typical formula to rectify situation – apologize, buy lunch/dinner/coffee to compensate his fault, and/or make a promise that he will not do it again, and he will keep his promise for a short while if he makes a promise. His formula works on me a number of occasions because I am being forgiving, kind and gracious to him, just like what Jesus does for us, even though I know in my heart his formula is only a nice gesture and means nothing. But I am finding hard to turn this irritable situation to kindness and grace. I am facing dilemma – whether I choose to forgive him and be graceful and move on, or categorize him in the least wanted group in my life, or… My mind keeps scheming defensive plans and my heart has turned to stone and refuses to mend this broken relationship. 

The Lord interrupts my mind and speaks at night:

“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times? Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Matthew 18:21-22

Lord, I know, please enables me.

I forgive him. But my attitude remains hard like stone to him. Only God can transform my mind, my attitude and my heart. May He work on me, and bless him.