It seems so simple, easy even—just be kind!—until it isn't. A couple of weeks ago, I had a run-in with someone, a total stranger, who was inexplicably rude. There was a choice to be made, in that snap of a moment. I chose wrong. Instead of softening harshness with kindness, I exploded. I threw rudeness right back in this person's face. The rush of adrenaline and vindication was devastatingly short-lived, and within minutes I broke down, horrified at my behavior and beside myself at the fact that there was no do-over, no rewinding the clock. Why didn't I step back instead of entering into the tension? Why didn't I pause for just one second and take a breath? Why didn't I briefly consider the other person's humanity and brokenness and allow that to influence my response to the situation? There is no answer other than sin, my own brokenness. The interaction grieved me so deeply. I relived it on repeat for too long before replacing the loop of failure with a loop of truth and releasing the burden of this thing I had messed up and could not fix:⠀
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"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us." (Ephesians 1:7-8)â €
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Forgiven and free, forgiven and free—I write these words often. I'm still learning the depth of their meaning.⠀
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#newmorningnewmercies #recoveringperfectionist #bekind #forgivenandfree #learningtopayattention
