Sitting here after another beautiful day. Well, it didn’t necessarily start that way…but that’s how it’s ending.
I woke up with a burr in my saddle, a bit on the “ouchy” side. The night before, someone had said something that I considered a bit rude. You know what I noticed? The more I thought about it and “argued” my position, the more upset I became.
At first, I thought I would just hide myself away and no one would ever notice. I mean, I didn’t even say anything!
But unresolved conflict has a way of creeping out.
To make matters even a bit sillier, it wasn’t even that big of a deal. I just had my feathers ruffled.
In a book I am reading by Gary Thomas called “Sacred Marriage” he gives an illustration of an ongoing battle that he has with his wife over the ice-cube tray. Growing up, his family had a simple rule…you refill the ice-cube tray before putting it back in the fridge. He even timed himself and found that it only takes seven seconds to refill the tray.
Finally, he couldn’t take any longer and asked his wife. “How much do you love me?”
“More than all the world,” she professed.
“I don’t need you to love me that much,” he said. “I just want you to love me for seven sec…”
Then it dawned on him, if it only takes her seven seconds to fill it…then it will only take him seven seconds! Is he going to let SEVEN SECONDS worth of inconvenience become a serious issue in his marriage? He asked himself, “Really?! Is my capacity to show a little charity that limited?”
Indeed it was…and that was the trouble.
I love the story.
I guess because it tells me I’m not alone, when I find myself all too willing to let inconvenience and ruffled feathers rob me of relationships.
It’s funny, but once I realized I had it in my power to turn the tables on myself, I had to make a decision. Am I willing to show a little charity and let the comment go?
How many times has God forgiven me? How many times have I wept and said, “It’s me again, LORD. I am so sorry, please forgive me?”
Quietly the words of Scripture came to mind.
“I have forgiven you and carried your sins as far as the east is from the west.” He answered. “Your sins were carried by My Son to the cross…and they are nailed there!”
“Do you believe Me?”
“Then, go and forgive others as I have forgiven you. Show the same kindness, as I have shown you!”
Interestingly, the process was not complete until I acted on it. I picked up the phone and made a call. Once I physically began to move in the right direction, something happened inside of me. It was as though I was held prisoner and was suddenly set free.
Over and over again, I have found God’s word to be true. His ways are good and I have seen it!
For Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, then you are My disciples; and you shall know the truth and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32
If this was FB, I would click “like”. Thanks, Bobbie!!
Thanks, y’all:-)
It’s amazing how we hold so tightly to our bitterness sometimes. We are often our own worst enemy when Jesus simply says Come, hold tightly to me instead. What freedom there truly is in that and how sad many never seem to find that peace. May the Lord always keep reaching for us, waiting expectantly and may we always turn towards Him.
Beautifully stated. Thanks, Andilina:-)
the change of perspective always gets me! But oh so hard to get there sometimes!! Good thoughts!