ForgivenessSample

Blame Game

A mother of two toddlers walked into the kitchen and found it a mess. The table was strewn with cookies, and the floor was splattered with cornflakes. Standing in this messy kitchen, the exasperated mother sternly asked them, “Who did this?” And simultaneously, without batting an eyelid, they both pointed at each other! She couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

We may smile when we think of the response of these toddlers, but the blame game is as old as Genesis.

In Genesis, we read that God created a beautiful world, and in it, He created man and woman, the first couple in His image. Since a Triune God created mankind, we are made for community, a reflection of the divine community of the Trinity.

God created the first couple to complement each other. When God said He would make Adam a helper, he was referring to one who provides strength in the area where Adam was lacking. They were created to live in a harmonious relationship with each other.

Sin’s entry into God’s perfect environment of beauty and unity led to a broken world, a divided community, and a broken relationship with God. What was the first couple’s response to God for their act of disobedience? Eve blamed the serpent, and Adam blamed God and the woman. Neither took responsibility for their actions. I wonder if the couple continued to belittle and blame each other over the next hundreds of years they lived together. Could this have been their predicament after being banished from the Garden of Eden?

Today as we look at our disagreements with one another, is it possible that it could be because of us? Maybe we should have shown a little more restraint, perhaps not quickly flying off the handle, or maybe we could have been a little more patient.

The good news is that God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to forgive, redeem and restore us. He died and rose again and paid the price for our failures. Christ came to restore our relationship with God and our relationship with fellow men.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, your word says that before I look at the speck in my brother’s eye, I must first pay attention to my eye. Reveal to me my faults which hinder my relationship with you and others. Thank you for your love and forgiveness for me.