We Are Not Perfect, but God's Love Is

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The storm is hitting Jacksonville and we are prepared.
The storm that hit me today at the end of my driveway, I was not so prepared.
Clearly the conversation got started on the wrong note when I heard, “Is that YOUR dog? He frequents my yard OFTEN.” I tried to apologize and even offered to come to her house with a bag, but she would have none of it. In fact, she offered to deliver all the poop to my house. Nice. She was not happy. AT ALL.
But at what cost is it to be rude?
I had to hold it together.
I found myself repeating this:
Annie, don’t blow it.
You write B-i-b-l-e studies. Be nice. You JUST wrote a devotional on kindness for Pete’s sake.

I need you Lord.

Empower me NOW because everything inside me is  heating up, and I’m about to boil over.
I need a verse.
I need something.
It all happened so fast. But it wasn’t the poop factor that got my emotions to a boil. I get her frustration. Yes. The gates are often left open by kids early in the a.m., yard men, workers, and friends. Yes. The dogs should be on a leash. I understand. You are frustrated, and I am so very sorry.
What I don’t understand was the angry attack. Words can be so hurtful when they don’t have to be.

What is cookin’ inside our souls that we feel the need to let others have the burnt leftovers?

Now I’m not saying I handled it right either. Thank goodness my mother was with me to witness my behavior. Here’s my conviction: While it’s easy to write Bible studies from the safety of my office, what happens when storms hit unexpectedly and you feel totally unprepared? What spills over? Is it love? Is it anger? Literally, when the poop hits the fan. What then? What happens when you are exposed to the real darkness of your behavior–to the voices that really want to come out but you are suppressing like Rainbow Kitty in the Lego movie (Google it!).

You see the real you and your real need for Christ.

You begin to understand that you will never deserve the love and forgiveness Jesus gives you — over and over again. You begin to see His grace and mercy and your need to stay connected to the vine at ALL times. You begin to see that without love, you are hopeless. You can’t fake your Christianity and pretend you have it all together … because you don’t. But you CAN begin to acknowledge and desire a closer relationship with the Living God to lead you and help you make good and wise decisions. You CAN begin to build a relationship with the One who made you in His image. You CAN begin. Take one step of faith. One smile when someone is being ugly. One word of encouragement when life seems disappointing. One step to believe. It’s apart of the journey. It’s apart of your story–poop and all.
Oh. I have seen my anger today, and it’s not pretty. But God is merciful, and He uses our circumstances to make us stronger and more dependent on Him. So, today Lord, forgive me if I said the wrong thing and above all … help me to keep my mouth closed, my dogs in, and my gates SHUT.
Amen.
“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others” (Colossians 3:13 NLT, second edition).
Rick warren has an amazing devotional this morning on grace– one I needed to hear. Perfect timing Lord. Thank You!
http://pastorrick.com/devotional/english%2fthe-forgiven-should-forgive?roi=echo7-27889897873-48761868-e6224fb49553ce77096e30a7e20ede75&

2 Comments
  • Amy Barnett
    Posted at 12:42h, 03 September Reply

    I totally relate Annie. I too desire to grow through all my stormy moments. I pray to respond less and less my way, and more and more with the Jesus qualities I know are at work within me. I am so grateful for our awesome God who loves us so much to transform us from glory to glory, to reflect more and more of Him. I am so grateful for you too, reminding me of His grace and forgiveness. You are a bright light for His Kingdom!
    Now, its time for heaping blessings of kindness, and forgiving the offense.
    2 Corinthians 3:18 (KJV) But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

    • apajcic
      Posted at 12:54h, 03 September Reply

      Amy! My mentor once told me that we know we are growing as Christians when our “repsonse” time (the way WE want to respond) decreases. I love this because I want so much more of Jesus in me and less of Annie. Oh, it’s a process! Thank you for “responding” with love and grace! Have a great weekend. ~ Annie

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