Post by 4him on Jun 24, 2008 19:09:44 GMT -7
Hi Everyone,
In this post, I just wanted to reflect on one area in which God has shown and continues to show his grace to me, not in the salvation sense of the word grace, but in the sense of restoring and renewing on a daily basis.
Today, I became upset with my kids. On the surface (to my fleshly mind), my actions seemed like they could be justified. You know how it is when you are feeling sick or feeling tired or stressed, and at the moment it may seem ‘ok’ to act in a way that is selfish or unkind. This is the way I acted today towards my kids. I spoke harshly and rashly.
But then that voice breaks through the dullness that had settled upon my spiritual understanding, the dullness that caused me to feel unconcerned about my actions and attitudes. It breaks upon me with suddenness and clarity and arrests my attention, making me wonder why I hadn’t thought of it earlier. The voice says : “Go and say you're sorry”. It’s the voice of the blessed Holy Spirit.
Thankfully, my kids are gracious and they accept my apology.
Then, after that, as always, I am amazed at the sense of cleanness and refreshment that comes to my spirit after I apologize. There’s a sudden sense that what was between me and those I love has been lifted. The wall has been taken away by God’s gracious work in my heart.
I thank God for his faithfulness in his dealings with me. His mercies are ‘new every morning’- and throughout the entire day !
In Jesus,
John
In this post, I just wanted to reflect on one area in which God has shown and continues to show his grace to me, not in the salvation sense of the word grace, but in the sense of restoring and renewing on a daily basis.
Today, I became upset with my kids. On the surface (to my fleshly mind), my actions seemed like they could be justified. You know how it is when you are feeling sick or feeling tired or stressed, and at the moment it may seem ‘ok’ to act in a way that is selfish or unkind. This is the way I acted today towards my kids. I spoke harshly and rashly.
But then that voice breaks through the dullness that had settled upon my spiritual understanding, the dullness that caused me to feel unconcerned about my actions and attitudes. It breaks upon me with suddenness and clarity and arrests my attention, making me wonder why I hadn’t thought of it earlier. The voice says : “Go and say you're sorry”. It’s the voice of the blessed Holy Spirit.
Thankfully, my kids are gracious and they accept my apology.
Then, after that, as always, I am amazed at the sense of cleanness and refreshment that comes to my spirit after I apologize. There’s a sudden sense that what was between me and those I love has been lifted. The wall has been taken away by God’s gracious work in my heart.
I thank God for his faithfulness in his dealings with me. His mercies are ‘new every morning’- and throughout the entire day !
In Jesus,
John