The first community we all experienced was family. We were born into it—and we didn’t get to choose who our parents and siblings would be! Then again, they didn’t get to choose us either! It didn’t take very long for me to discover that my parents—as wonderful as they are—were not perfect. However, it took a little longer to admit that God didn’t bless them with a perfect son either.

Now don’t even get me started about my siblings! Actually, I had a very good relationship with my three sisters and four brothers growing up. And I am sure that if you asked each of them, they would agree unanimously that I was the wisest, most selfless, fun-loving and particularly humble one of the bunch. Well, maybe three or four of them would agree. Would you believe two out of five?

But seriously, the point is that we tend to be much more willing to give ourselves the benefit of the doubt—i.e., make excuses—with regard to our own faults and failings—than we are with those ”who trespass against us.” The truth is, we will never be able to exercise the forgiveness that makes community sustainable until we are willing to be honest about our own faults and weaknesses. This will keep our hearts humble and it is only the humble heart that can forgive others—or be forgiven by them.

Happy Father’s Day to all of you who have earned the love and praise of your children and to those who need their mercy and love anyway!