What's Your Number 7, 77, or 119?

Last night the Chicago Blackhawks lost their first regular season game in regulation time since March 25, 2012.  For 30 games in a row the Hawks had make a point.  For the first 24 games of this season the Hawks did not lose a single game in regulation.  And, up till last night, they had won 11 games in a row.  Those are some amazing numbers for Hawks fans.

Well... for most Hawks fans.  Not for lifelong Hawks fan, Steven Schucker.  The Chicago Tribune reported that the only number that matters to Steven is 119.  119... as in the 119-day-long lockout that postponed the beginning of the NHL season.  In fact, for a long time it looked like there would be no season, just as there was no season in 2004 for the same reason.  Steven is fed up with greedy owners and blames NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman for all that is wrong with hockey. 

As a matter of principle, Steven vowed not to watch a single moment of NHL hockey this year.  Which, in light of his favorite team's amazing start, has made life very difficult for Steven.  Yes, difficult because it's so tempting to get on the bandwagon of enjoying the Hawks great start, but even more difficult because of the razzing he is getting from his friends.  Recently a "friend" posted on his Facebook: "Your (sic) a moron for not watching a sport because you don't like the commissioner."  At his favorite bars, Steven is immediately made fun of when they quickly turn the Bulls game off the big screens and put on hockey.  It's hard to hold a grudge on a matter or principle.  But a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do.

It worked that way in the famous Parable of the Prodigal Son. In Luke's Gospel Jesus uses that parable to teach as lesson about forgiveness and the joy it gives God when one sinner repents.  The youngest of two son's is a bit of a scoundrel in that parable. He is offensive in how he insists on his share of the inheritance now, runs off with it, and then wastes it. As a last resort he returns home to dad and dad takes him in with loving arms: celebrating his lost son's return.

As a matter of principle the older son who stayed home refuses to participate in the festivities.  It's not fair and its not right.  Like lost our Hawks fan, the older son's principles stand on holding on to that grudge as long as he can.  I'm sure the older son's buddies did a bunch of razzing as well.  I can just picture them waving some of that delicious roast calf in his face... a delicacy that was cooked just for the occasion.

These are the principles that God stands on:
- I love all my children.
- I will rejoice for one sinner that repents more than for 99 righteous persons who don't.
- I will love all my children, even when it's difficult.
- I will not cut off from my children, even when they turn away from me.
- I will forgive them 7 times. 
- I will forgive them 77 times.
- I will give my children the freedom to live with these very same principles.

You do not need to be chained to your grudge.  Does Gary Bettman deserve forgiveness? I don't need to answer that.  Does the NHL and the Hawks deserve our attention? I'm not going to answer that either.  God's principles, or your principles, do not hinge on the actions of rich and spoiled owners and players.

But does God want you to be chained to a grudge of hate? NO

Does God want you to remain in the shadows of sin because wicked actions of others? NO

Be true to yourself and true to your principles... but may those principles reflect the same image that you were created in: God.

Forgive us our sins and we forgive those who sin against us.