(10.20.20—Acceptance!--Proverbs 21:3)
My friend, may I ask you a question? As you and I go through life, do we often find ourselves trying very hard, but going along tentatively, making mistakes and hurting others. How does God view that?
My friend, life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day.
I’m M. Clifford Brunner?
My son Dan and son-in-law Andy helped me with a big job several years ago. Since my knees aren’t in real good shape any more, they volunteered to install a new ridge vent on our A-Frame home. The job was an arduous one since the pitch on an A-Frame is steep and there isn’t any way of doing the job practically–except by saddling the ridge and pulling yourself along ripping off the old vent and then pulling yourself along again installing and shingling the new vent. Dan has always had a problem with heights, so the job was even more difficult for him. I watched from the ground as he tentatively crawled along the ridge, mindful of long drop, the tools he was grasping and the work he had to do. I had done the job a few times over the years and was pretty comfortable up there. He, however, was tentative. I smiled as I watched him inch his way along the ridge knowing he was trying to look confident even when he was a little apprehensive.
As you and I go through life, we often find ourselves trying hard, but going along tentatively. How does God view that?
Here’s a thought from Joseph Mazzella: “I was in a local grocery store the other day when suddenly I heard the sound of breaking glass behind me. I turned around to see what had happened. A young mother had turned away from her shop- ping cart for a second to look in one of the freezers. That second was all it took for her baby boy to test out his newfound ability to grab things from his seat in the cart. Unfortunately, the big jar of spaghetti sauce was more than he could handle. His arms were still outstretched where the jar had been a few seconds before. On the floor below the puddle of red was slowly oozing across the aisle. As I glanced at them, I saw the baby had finally taken his eyes off the shattered jar and looked up at his Mom. Instead of scolding or giving him an angry look she smiled down at him with eyes full of gentle understanding. Her tender gaze never changed not even when a friend gave her some good-natured teasing about the mess. I knew then that this Mom was going to give her son a lifetime full of laughter and love.” (Joseph Mazzella)
I think that God must smile down on us with that same look at times. Often we’re tentative like Dan. And, sometimes as hard as we try, we often make a mess of things too. We want to learn to love. Still, we stumble, fall, let important things slip through our fingers, and even break a few hearts along the way. God never gives up on us, however. He forgives us and fills our hearts, souls, and lives with His gentle understanding and unconditional love. May we all learn to love each other as He loves us; may we all learn to live our lives in joy, laughter, love, and understanding–always trying our best.
We pray. Heavenly Father. Thank you God for smiling down on us with Your love and mercy. Often we’re tentative like Dan. And, sometimes as hard as we try, we often make a mess of things too. Teach us Lord to love. Still, we stumble, fall, and let important things slip through our fingers, even break a few hearts along the way. Forgive us Father for our shortcomings. You never give up on us. You forgives us and fills our hearts, souls, and lives with Your gentle understanding and unconditional love. May we all learn to love each other as You love us; may we all learn to live our lives in joy, laughter, love, and understanding–always trying our best. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!
Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.
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<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.