Craig Clouston

Who’s to Blame?

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.
Colossians 3:13

He set the VCR on record and went back to reading. He knew she hadn’t seen this episode. They could watch it together when she got home.
Returning home, his wife noticed the VCR on record and asked in apprehension, “What tape are you using?” Instantly he knew what he’d done! The look on his face said what he couldn’t voice. “Nooooo!” she cried in anguish.
They’d been watching home videos of their children that morning—precious times and events they had cherished for over twenty years—and now they were gone.
Recorded over them was a meaningless TV show, and there was nothing either of them could do about it.
For the next few hours they lived under the weight of his mistake, silently blaming themselves and each other for the destruction of the tape—she feeling anger and frustration because she’d told him not to worry about recording this show; he because she left the tape in the VCR after they had finished watching it; both because they should have removed the tab present on all VHS tapes to prevent this very thing from happening. Both were responsible, each could place blame, but both chose to forgive.

†

If we look to place blame, we will find opportunity. Each of us has at one time or another displayed glaring shortcomings.
What happens following gut-wrenching disappointment at the hands of another is determined by whether we choose to place blame or forgive. Each time we face difficulties such as this, we are given a choice: do we ask God to give us the grace to overcome the temptation to blame or allow our irritation to foster bitterness?
There will always be someone to blame. Yet, who’s to blame is not as important as who loses when we blame. The act of blaming sets us up as judge and jury. The act of forgiveness sets us free of the heaviness and sorrow. We reap what we sow. Which would you rather experience? Blame or forgiveness?

Prayer

“Set me free of blame, Lord. I know I’ve made mistakes and been forgiven. Help me extend that same grace to others. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”