And I was back some 30 or 40 years reliving the pain of that sort of disrespect, that uncontrolled expression which would result in so much anger and discipline. All of my rebellion was interpreted as a personal affront toward my authority...but it wasn't really him. Behind all the attitude was deep pain, rejection, and the inability to please those who I deeply desired to please. I was a failure in so many ways...
And I felt her pain, and failures, and a brief window into her struggles for success and acceptance...
"God, who is rich in mercy..." poured out His grace in that moment, and there was no anger, only His grace flowing from me to the hurt one standing with me. While I wish that in that moment God Himself would have brought that one lost sheep home, I am trusting that more seeds were sown, more soil was cultivated, perhaps some little breath of life gently moving over the embers of her heart.
Sentencing her to "hard labor" (a.k.a. extra chores) gave time to think and move in the direction of repentance, and so I'll take that, just one small step. As for me, I rejoice in that moment of grace.
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