A Privilege

One of the many privileges that came with raising my three sons was teaching them how to ride a bike. Though all three of them learned how, none of them learned in the same manner. 

When our first born was ready to ride a bike, we were country dwellers. There was no pavement or smooth asphalt in sight. Instead we had a long, slightly sloped dirt driveway with buck brush lining both sides. Attaching training wheels to our son’s bike would not have benefited him. 

Consequently, I held his bike steady while he adjusted himself on the seat and then gave him two things to think about before I let go. 

First, I assured him that the sloped driveway would give him enough momentum so that he’d not have to think about peddling. He just needed to think about balancing himself on the bike. Secondly, he’d probably crash somewhere along the way, but steering himself into the buck brush would give him a softer landing than hitting the hard packed dirt. With a little push from me, and no looking back from him, he was off and gliding smoothly down the driveway. After a short time, he managed not only to go down the driveway, but he also managed to come back up as well. 

By the time our second born son was ready to try riding a bike, we were townies. Now, there was plenty of pavement and asphalt all around us and as a result, we attached training wheels to this son’s bike. 

He’d follow me around the different blocks in our neighborhood that had wide pathways. When we’d come to a slight slope though, he’d maneuver his bike with great caution. Eventually, those training wheels came off and he’d ride around town with great confidence.

By the time our last born son was ready to ride, we’d inherited a bike just his size. While sitting on the seat, his feet touched the ground. He did not need me to hold his bike, give him any advice nor did he need training wheels. Instead, he practiced riding his bike around and around in circles in our driveway. He was thrilled with his talent, independence and speed. Then, he joined his brothers in riding his bike around town.

Another Privilege

As the facilitator of the Emotional Healing Through Forgiveness © workshop, I have the privilege of teaching others about forgiveness. During these workshops, participants tell me about their particular set of circumstances. Also, everyone tells their own story. 

Though no one comes from the same situation, and no two stories are alike, everyone who comes to the workshop leaves with at least one benefit, but not all benefit in the same way.

For instance, some leave with more hope than what they came with. Others leave knowing they will  pursue some of the resources on the list that I hand out. Others know they need to take some time mulling over their options while others are ready to face  forgiving their offender. 

Why Bother?  

Why bother counting privileges? We all have the privilege to influence the life of another in a way that benefits them. In doing so, we are privileged.

You can read the whole story of my journey to forgiveness in my book, A Heart’s Journey To Forgiveness found at Redemption Press and Amazon.

Stay tuned for more information on my next Emotional Healing Through Forgiveness © workshop slated for April 26 at the YMCA in Sandpoint, Idaho.