Do you know the story about the bag of feathers? There are many versions of it, but here is just one version:
The story is told of a woman who had spread some false information about her neighbour. When confronted with the truth by her neighbour, she immediately asked for forgiveness. The neighbour agreed to forgive her if she accomplished one task for him. That task was to take a feather pillow to the top of the highest peak in the village and to release the feathers so they might fly freely in the wind. Quickly, she said, "Yes, I'll do anything, just forgive me!" The woman went to the highest peak and scattered the feathers.
After she had done this, she came back to him and reported, "I have done everything that you have asked. Now, please forgive me!"
The neighbour said, "I certainly will, but first complete the task I have for you. Go pick up all the feathers for have scattered."
"But that's impossible! She cried. "They're everywhere!" Only then did she realize how much harm she had done to her neighbour.
We cannot take our words back. Once they have been spoken, we will be accountable for them. Think about your words before you say them. Do not gossip. The Bible says, "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ." (Ephesians 4:15)
Now, I wasn't gossiping, but I posted something on my hockey pool message board that was very well thought out, and as a result it was misinterpreted and became hurtful to one of the members in the pool (who also happens to be a friend). I'm extremely thankful that he emailed me and gave me a chance to clarify/explain my feelings. Even though I will have to deal with the regret for hurting him in the first place, at least having asked forgiveness for my thoughtlessness, I have the chance to be forgiven.
And I do still feel rather bad about it. As an English major, I, of all people, should be aware of the power of words and the need to use them carefully and prudently. I didn't. I dashed something off without even thinking about all the unintended negative connotations my words carried.
Even worse is that I wasn't totally innocent either. I was a little bit irritated with the trade (although I had intended the tone of my post to be light and amused) for purely selfish reasons: I had been too lazy to work a trade out the night before with the other person involved, so when the trade went through, I lost my chance. I in no way meant to convey any of that irritation, because I WAS mostly amused by the whole thing, but I can't help but wonder if my poorly chosen words were something like a Freudian slip.
I've apologized, but the feathers are out of the bag. Even though I may be forgiven, I still can't get them all back.
