Present to Past

The other day I was commenting about how we have the Joneses in our lives and how our life, attitude, or spirit changes are accepted by the Joneses [Allowing Change, March 16]. This got me thinking. What is the pace of allowing, or accepting change. How soon does our Present become our Past.

We are told we are a forgiving nation (witness Clinton/Lewinski). A professional athlete is one post-season victory or Masters appearance from redemption. The Jonses (with some exceptions) most likely are more fickle with their neighbors. Thank God for God. He seems to have figured this whole repentance and forgiveness thing out.

A President requires a little time and popularity. An athlete, some peak performance. A neighbor typically requires a good bit of time, and the lingering effect could permeate the "hood" indefinitely. But God took care of this before we were even born (at least those reading this). The forgiveness is ours for the asking. The acceptance is already in place.

My/our problems stem from where we place the significance of the acceptance. Too often it is on the Jones family and the general public—the jury of our peers.