Atonement: reparation for a wrong or injury.
Leviticus 16:30 - because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the Lord, you will be clean from all your sins.
I can’t remember the last time I thought or used the word “atonement.” That changed on Friday morning. But it began on Thursday morning at about 10 am.
I had a friend at my apartment who was leaving after me. When I left, I told her to just tell Max, my dog, that it’s crate time and he’ll go right in. I failed, however, to mention that the crate door needed to be latched. So as I stepped out of the elevator onto the floor of my apartment Thursday afternoon, I heard it. The barking. And then I saw it. A note on my door informing me of my dog’s non-stop barking. All day.
I felt horrible. I’ve had Max for 9 years and his separation anxiety has never waned. The only thing that calms him when I’m not around is his crate. Otherwise, it’s Thursday all over again. So I’m completely frustrated with myself for neglecting to make sure he was locked in.
I carried the weight of embarrassment and guilt most of Thursday evening. But then Friday morning came and I knew what I wanted to do, needed to do. Make atonement. So on my way to work I stopped by Starbucks and purchased 12 gift cards; 2 cards with double the amount. I took a few minutes while at work to write a note on each one. “My sincere apology for my dog’s barking yesterday. Sharon Apt 331. I needed to sign with my name and apartment number because leaving something anonymous would be cowardly and, well, unatoning.
When I got home, I dragged Max to every apartment door on my side of the building, plus the apartment right below me, taping the gift card to each door. The apartment below plus the one next to me got the extra gift because they got the worst of Max.
When I walked in my apartment I felt so much better, feeling “atoned” for my sins. Which sounds silly to use that word for such a minor infraction, but that’s exactly what I felt. I confessed and did my best to make things right. I experienced atonement. (See I can’t quit using the word)
Later that night when I took Max out for his final walk, there was a card taped to my door. A card in a lovely lavender envelope. Inside was a note from Kayla. “Thank you for the thoughtful and considerate gift card.” She continued to tell me about her cat then signed her name (and her cat’s name) with her apartment number. 330
Saturday afternoon Tanner stopped by. Apt 327. He was the one who left the note for me. He wanted to make sure he hadn’t offended me with his note but was just trying to be helpful. And then Susan, Apt 330, taped my gift card to my door, telling me Max is never a bother and encouraged me to treat myself. On Sunday afternoon another neighbor stopped and thanked me for the gift.
It has been such a moment for me. An apartment building where I’ve lived next door to perfect strangers has now suddenly turned into a small friendly community. And the week is still young. Who knows who I'll meet and talk to next.
James 5:16 says, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.”
I know that healing comes in many forms. Physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental. I’m not sure what category this falls under. All I know is through this small act of atonement, I feel forgiven and cleansed. With the surprise bonus of making some neighborly friends.