Second Chances…
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I inquire.
“You haven’t exactly been very approachable this week,” he says.
“Oh,” I reply. “I’m really sorry, you deserve better than that.”
“No, I don’t, but I forgive you,” he says.
“I don’t deserve that, either,” I smile.
“Nobody does, but that’s okay. Human condition.” he says.
I missed an opportunity with one of my kids to connect on his timing, but God saw fit to be merciful and give me a second chance, for which I was grateful. I’d explain the myriad of current excuses for my lack of attention and approachability this week, but they’re just excuses. Regardless of how much pain we are in, physical or otherwise, God’s standards don’t change.
And excuses only diminish our character.
This was the first time, however, that I realized my inability to manage pain well and cope with life regardless of how I felt physically, interfered with my relationships. I knew this when I had post-partum depression, and did my absolute best to “man up” in spite of whether I was a mess or not, but this physical pain is really the same.
So I need to cling more tightly. Dwell more intentionally and longer.
Listen more carefully.
And He’ll tell me what I need to know, when I need to know it.
As I’m pulling the dust bunnies of busyness out of my spiritual receptors, I want to encourage you to do likewise. This life the world tries to create for us is all too much. And not necessary.
Proverbs 12 has gobs of wisdom about the “way of the fool.” I must confess, it’s all too fitting today for me.
Thankful to be on the journey with you! Dare you to actually click on the link above and read what He might be saying directly to you this morning.
Double dog dare you to subscribe or share or comment this morning!
Love to you,
~Nina
You know, it’s funny! I tell my kids all the time that no matter how they feel or if they’re tired that that’s no excuse for bad behavior or treating others badly, but I catch myself doing it ALL THE TIME!!! With God’s help, I’m working on it (and apologizing constantly when I’m screwing it up!)!
I’m in for tea, Wendy. Katy, you’re invited, too. 🙂
This is good stuff. Thank you for being real, and for sharing the hard.
Let’s get together one day for tea… if not here than on the other side of glory. I sure do enjoy you.
Thanks for the perfect timing of your words today. I will wait to read Proverbs 12 tonight with my husband and teen boys as we are doing a Proverb a day. I was not really looking forward to that tonight because … well, all those excuses … but now I’m kinda anxious to see what God has in store.