Hearts at Home

I remember years ago, when one daughter had gotten her feelings hurt on the bus by another daughter.  Of course, being the intense mother, “I am going to do this the way that Doctor Dobson would” – I sat them both down and talked about how they needed to treat each other. I made them apologize to each other and promise to never act that way toward the other again. 

The daughter that committed the act said she was sorry (for which I really believe that she was), made her promises and then went on her way to the next thing. The daughter who had gotten her feelings hurt performed the exact same actions; but not long after the event, she came looking for me. She crawled up into my lap and with tears streaming down her face - told me that “she was sorry she was so sensible” (instead of sensitive). I had to hold back my laughter and hold her tight to provide reassurance that her sister really had treated her wrong and that her feelings would heal if she could accept the apology and let it go. In others words – offer and receive grace.

I too often find myself in the same situation as my hurt daughter. I get my feelings hurt very easily and then I apology over and over again for actions that actually hurt me. I so want please others and have them think well of me, that I will beat myself up for things of which I have no control. Just like my daughter, who truly had gotten her feelings hurt by the words of her sister, and then felt guilty about it – I act the exact same way. Often, I do not allow myself to offer or accept grace.

The enemy of my soul wants to keep me in guilt and bondage over hurt feelings, words and actions that have happened. As long as I come back to the issues time and time again, I never allow the sensitive spots to heal. And I don’t experience grace for myself or for the person that has hurt me.

My daughter who apologized and did not come back to apologize over and over again is probably a good example of grace. Grace is offering and accepting forgiveness and then not repeating the issue over and over again in your head (or to the person) until you end up apologizing for being too “sensible.”  Grace – is a incredible word and an even more amazing concept. Grace is something that we do not deserve, yet is offered to us as a gift. Once I accept and receive grace – I then need to be able to offer grace to others and to accept it myself.

Lord, help me to accept the unmerited grace you offer me. Help me to also accept your unconditional love and acceptance that comes with your astounding grace. May I not only offer grace to others, but also to myself. I control nothing and so can live freely knowing that you provide grace in all of life’s circumstances. Give me discernment about when I am carrying issues without grace’s covering. I so long to be known as a person who offers and receives grace. So grateful for grace ….. Amen

If you are interested in a good, theological explanation of grace – visit here http://www.learnthebible.org/q_a_what_is_grace.htm

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Name

Email

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment