This week has been a series of highs for our beloved city known as "the mistake on the lake." First, the Republican National Convention announces their pick of Cleveland to host the 2016 RNC Convention and then LeBron announces he is coming home. I have said all along (feel free to check my social media feeds) that I believed LeBron would come back to Cleveland based on several thoughts, (1) He does not want to be known the rest of his life and beyond for "The Decision" (2) He has accomplished what he set out to do - win NBA championships, capture MVP awards and win two Olympic gold medals and (3) He has a love for NE Ohio that goes beyond basketball. I live, do ministry, and play here in NE Ohio and Cleveland and I am glad he is coming back.
The story of LeBron returning to Cleveland is about grace and growing up. For all the jersey burning, letter writing, and "decisions" there has been forgiveness and when forgiveness happens, it happens because of grace. LeBron in his letter has forgiven Dan Gilbert, Dan has forgiven LeBron, the fans for the most part has forgiven LeBron and in LeBron's essay, it is clear he has forgiven the fans. I would encourage you to read the essay published exclusively by SI.com (click the image of LBJ in this article) and read his essay on why he is returning to Cleveland. People have not forgiven him because the odds are now in favor Cleveland having championship team. People are showing grace to LeBron because he has asked for forgiveness and he is proud to be from NE Ohio.
In his essay he makes a statement that going to Miami was like going to college for him as he went straight from high school to the NBA. While he had success in Miami he also did a lot of growing up. His role of father expanded. LeBron came to understand his place of role model to kids in NE Ohio and around the country. He still is a young man who may do things that we may not agree on, but there has been growing up that has been done and I expect that we will see much more growing up in the years to come as he mentors young players like Irving and Wiggins. LeBron is turning out to be a class act, not just because of his return, but because of how his handles himself as a pro athlete, a businessman, a philanthropist and a family man.
Dan Gilbert, LeBron James, and the people of Cleveland and NE Ohio have experienced grace in this situation. As a Christian I have to ask myself, "Am I a grace giver?" I want to challenge you to ask that same question. Maybe you are angry about LeBron coming back to Cleveland or it angers you that athletes make so much money or perhaps you really don't care about any of this. That's your choice, but everyday you and I need to be asking these questions to ultimately understand what it means to be a grace giver.
Am I quick to judge people on initial impressions?
Am I quick to criticize when people make a mistake?
Am I quick to write people off due to their persistent problems?
Do I give people a chance to change?
Do I attempt to rescue and restore or reject and restrain?
Can I see past the bad to do the best for people?
You can either be a grace giver or a grace killer. Your choice.
