[Teachldsseminary] Teach sec 64

[anita@whiteley.org]

Here's a poem I love about forgiveness.

Composed by Marguerite Stewart. It is entitled "Forgiveness Flour." The
poem, written in the first person, features an unnamed wife who answers
her door to find a young woman in shame and seeking flour, which
symbolizes forgiveness, to make bread. The poem reads:

The poem reads:
When I went to the door, at the whisper of knocking,
I saw Simeon Gantner's daughter, Kathleen, standing
There, in her shawl and her shame, sent to ask
"Forgiveness Flour" for her bread. "Forgiveness Flour,"
We call it in our corner. If one has erred, one
Is sent to ask for flour of his neighbors. If they loan it
To him, that means he can stay, but if they refuse, he had
Best take himself off. I looked at Kathleen . . .
What a jewel of a daughter, though not much like her
Father, more's the pity. "I'll give you flour," I
Said, and went to measure it. Measuring was the rub.
If I gave too much, neighbors would think I made sin
Easy, but if I gave too little, they would label me
"Close." While I stood measuring, Joel, my husband
Came in from the mill, a great bag of flour on his
Shoulder, and seeing her there, shrinking in the
Doorway, he tossed the bag at her feet. "Here, take
All of it." And so she had flour for many loaves,
While I stood measuring.

The phrase "While I stood measuring" characterizes too many of us too much
of the time. We metaphorically "measure flour" in an attempt not to be
overgenerous in our mercy. At the same time we pray that God will throw a
bag of flour at our feet--that is, that he will be boundless in his mercy
toward us.