Need Any More?

Need Any More?

A gentle answer deflects anger,but harsh words make tempers flare.

Proverbs 15:1

For about twelve years I served as the managing editor of a newsletter called TEACH—a twenty-page, hard-hitting publication for Christian teachers and leaders, chock full of informative and practical tidbits and helpful ideas. Included in each issue were about ten full-length articles for teachers and leaders who worked with different age groups in the church and related ministries.

In one of the early issues, before I really had all the processes and procedures down, I published an article written by a man in a neighboring city. I inadvertently neglected to get written permission from the author to use the article, however. So when the issue came out, he found his article and was upset that we had “stolen” his work.

We shortly received a rather irate letter from the man, and I realized immediately that the fault was mine. I wrote to him, apologizing profusely for my oversight in not seeking permission to use the article, and I included a check for one hundred dollars, our standard payment for the longer articles, hoping that would appease him.

During the ensuing days, I waited nervously for his response, praying that he would not want to press the matter further. About two weeks went by, and I finally received a rather large envelope from the offended author. Fearing that it might be filled with legal papers and that we were in for some kind of battle, I opened the envelope and pulled out about twenty-five additional articles he had written, with a note that said, essentially, “Thanks for the check. Do you need any more articles?”

I’m happy to say that all was forgiven, and he and I developed an excellent long-term working relationship.

As Snoopy used to say, “A kiss on the nose turneth away wrath.”

Loving Savior, thank you for the privilege and joy of being forgiven. Help me to return the favor when others offend me. Amen.