He Granted Me Grace
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:15-16
I want to preface this encouragement by saying I love our dog (because in a few more sentences you will be wondering). For the most part, our basset hound/lab mix, Bumi, is a lovable joy to have around. But yesterday he got on my very last nerve by refusing to poop. With Jaime -who has much greater patience for these shenanigans than I- being away, it was down to me to care for Bumi. And by “care for” I mean engaging in a tug-a-war battle every time I took him out, yanking and pulling and grumbling the whole time about my poor back and bad balance and his lack of respect for my 8-month pregnant body.
But I was struck by how irrationally frustrated and angry I became every time I took him to go potty with no avail. My inability to remain even-tempered really troubled me. One of the lessons God has been bringing to my attention through parenting conversations with friends is that control over my reactions is far more important than the actions or attitudes of the people/things around me. The conviction to “renew my mind” (Rom 12:1-2) and “take captive every thought” (2 Cor 10:5) in practicing self-control even -and maybe most importantly- in the small things has been weighing on me for several weeks now. And yet here I was, brought to tears and mentally cursing my poor dog because he’s too busy chasing butterflies instead of getting down to business. “Why, Lord?? Why is this making me so frustrated?? Why can’t I be better at this??” I cried out after the 5th attempt and the sun waning. Still feeling guilty, I pulled out my phone to see a message from a church sister who knowing Jaime was away asked if she could bring her girls to walk my dog. I was so humbled. I had not shared any of the day’s frustrations with her, and yet here she was providing the reprieve I desperately needed!
Two thoughts sprung to mind: How good it is to be a part of the body and family of Christ!!!
And secondly, what a gracious God we serve!!! Instead of meeting my failures with more practical trials (which would be totally justified), knowing my frailty (Psalm 103:14), He granted me grace.
I want to preface this encouragement by saying I love our dog (because in a few more sentences you will be wondering). For the most part, our basset hound/lab mix, Bumi, is a lovable joy to have around. But yesterday he got on my very last nerve by refusing to poop. With Jaime -who has much greater patience for these shenanigans than I- being away, it was down to me to care for Bumi. And by “care for” I mean engaging in a tug-a-war battle every time I took him out, yanking and pulling and grumbling the whole time about my poor back and bad balance and his lack of respect for my 8-month pregnant body.
But I was struck by how irrationally frustrated and angry I became every time I took him to go potty with no avail. My inability to remain even-tempered really troubled me. One of the lessons God has been bringing to my attention through parenting conversations with friends is that control over my reactions is far more important than the actions or attitudes of the people/things around me. The conviction to “renew my mind” (Rom 12:1-2) and “take captive every thought” (2 Cor 10:5) in practicing self-control even -and maybe most importantly- in the small things has been weighing on me for several weeks now. And yet here I was, brought to tears and mentally cursing my poor dog because he’s too busy chasing butterflies instead of getting down to business. “Why, Lord?? Why is this making me so frustrated?? Why can’t I be better at this??” I cried out after the 5th attempt and the sun waning. Still feeling guilty, I pulled out my phone to see a message from a church sister who knowing Jaime was away asked if she could bring her girls to walk my dog. I was so humbled. I had not shared any of the day’s frustrations with her, and yet here she was providing the reprieve I desperately needed!
Two thoughts sprung to mind: How good it is to be a part of the body and family of Christ!!!
And secondly, what a gracious God we serve!!! Instead of meeting my failures with more practical trials (which would be totally justified), knowing my frailty (Psalm 103:14), He granted me grace.
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