So, much like this duck I saw at the park, I failed to fly today.
I had the perfect opportunity to show grace and forgiveness to someone who, in the past has caused me and my family pain and problems. but I didn't.
My friend and I went shopping and got separated in the store. Because the store is a black hole that sucks all cell phone life out of it, we couldn't find each other for a long time. Well, my friend ran into this person, let's call them Joanna. They chatted and Joanna said "oh, Jenny is here? I don't think she wants to talk to me."
When my friend and I finally found each other, she told me about it. I admit, my first reaction was "heck yeah, I don't want to talk to her!" But then, I realized that I had two choices: leave the store, or go and find the person and talk to them.
What did I do?
I left the store. Quickly.
On the way home, God really convicted me. Jesus wouldn't have avoided the Pharisees. He would have gone up to them and talked to them. He wouldn't have tip-toed past the sinners, but He would have invited them to dinner.
When pushed out of the nest this afternoon, I failed to flap my wings and fly.
But you know what? Next time I'm pushed out of the nest, I'm sure it'll go better. I'm learning how to flap them and that's part of what makes living with Jesus exciting!
you know what's weird? in the sermon i was listening to yesterday tim keller said we don't choose our brothers and sisters in Christ just like we don't choose our biological brothers and sisters and that's why we shouldn't avoid the ones we don't like. because brothers and sisters speak to us in a way no one else does and move in our lives in ways no one else does. i was going to tell you about it yesterday, but got distracted by something, so i guess your failure is partly my fault. if i had told you, it would've been fresh in your mind...lo siento.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised I just didn't automatically know it since you knew it...our same person powers are dwindling!
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