A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense. (Proverbs 19:11)

A few weeks back, four of us were having breakfast at a restaurant. Two of us were really hungry and ordered a full breakfast. The other two ordered oatmeal porridge.

When the waitress brought the porridge over, it was quite obvious to us that it needed some “fixing” up prior to consumption. So, I politely asked for some milk and some raisins, only to be treated by what I would politely describe as a murderous look. (You know the “if looks could kill” kind!)

She grudgingly agreed to bring us some milk, but stated quite flatly: “We do not serve raisins in this restaurant.”

At that point, I should have kept my mouth shut, but found myself blurting out: “Even McDonald’s serves raisins and diced apples with their oatmeal porridge!” Although, in all fairness, I said these words with a smile on my face to soften the blow. (as I had learned from Dale Carnegie!)

Let’s just say that the smile was not contagious. As a matter of fact, it boomeranged with a frown the length of Texas and a look which now had murderous rage written all over it, as if to say: “This is not McDonald’s, ding-dong!” (You were wrong, Dale! A smile is not always reciprocated)

In any event, she brought milk and some craisins instead and set the container on the table with a bang. No diced apples, though J I dared not ask for more.

At an earlier stage in my life, I would’ve demanded to see the manager and filed a complaint. Chances are the Indian in me would’ve come away with a free meal coupon to atone for the waitress’s abominable behaviour.

I could’ve taken offense, but, by God’s grace, chose to overlook it and give her the benefit of the doubt. She was probably just having a bad hair day, you know!

A few hours later, all of us were at lunch with more friends, when one of them recalled her experience at the same restaurant a couple of nights earlier. She too was appalled at the rudeness of the waitress. As we compared notes regarding her height, colour of hair, etc., we discovered that every day was probably a bad hair day for this lady J

We still found it difficult to take offense, though. After all, she could be living under circumstances that are less than ideal and highly stressful every day.

The best option was to simply overlook her offense.

King Solomon says that “it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”

Easier said than done, though, isn’t it? Perhaps it is easy to overlook an offense in a situation like the one I encountered.

What about more serious situations? When someone attacks your character or questions your motives? Or worse hurts you in the process? Would you still be able to overlook an offense?

When we look at the life of Jesus, he clearly demonstrated this response to offense, didn’t he? The most striking illustration is when he lay dying on the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34).

Stephen, as he was being stoned to death, said something similar, did he not? “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” (Acts 7:60)

Both Jesus, who chose to lay aside his divinity and live in every way as we do—fully human, and his follower Stephen, were able to overlook even the most grievous offence.

The key?

They were both “full of the Holy Spirit.” (Luke 4:1, Acts 7:55)

Dear friend, when you are full of the Holy Spirit, you too can overlook an offense, any offense, even offense leading to death. Amen?

Ask Him to fill you up once again today…and every day…so that Proverbs 19:11 becomes a reality in your life on a daily basis.