About a year ago, I received a bill for past due taxes on a boat that I haven’t owned for 10 years. Apparently, the county in California where this tax bill was issued from has had some past serious financial problems and therefore tried to find ways to recoup lost revenue. The problem is that they were taxing me for years that I didn’t own the boat. I called and told them this but the rather robotic lady who answered the phone told me that this was not their problem and that I had to prove to them that I didn’t own a boat that I hadn’t owned for over 10 years.
She was convinced that her records showed that I owned this boat, but what was truly amazing is that I had talked to her office regarding this same issue, 8 years ago. That time I found someone who knew how to access the Dept. of Marine Licensing records and she found that I was correct and that this vessel was licensed to another individual for the past 3 years. I was instructed that I need take no further action and that they would correct their records.
Now, however, the burden of proof was laid back at my door. Question: Who has records proving that they haven’t owned something for over ten years? Answer: Me.
I checked my files and found one that had all of the necessary documents that proved I did not own this vessel during the time in question. I even had the old invoice and the name of the lady who looked up the owner in the Licensing database, eight years earlier. (Unfortunately that lady no longer worked there and the current employee told me that wasn’t her job.)
I was remembering this incident today and suddenly thought about how fortunate we are to have all of our old debts forgiven by our Savior. He doesn’t require us to keep a record of our debt forgiveness and He Himself, according to the Scriptures says this: “For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”
We truly live in a world that seems intent upon keeping a record of wrongs and requiring everyone to right them. Clearly this veers from the plan, intent and heart of our Creator.
The more we let go of, and therefore the smaller our ledger sheet of offenses that we hold against others becomes, the more we shall be free.
Blessings and Shalom!

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