Devotionals

Down Memory Lane--The Slap
Friday, August 14, 2015 by Charlotte S. Snead

I could see the fiery fingerprints on my beloved son’s face.  Even as a heathen, I knew better than to strike a child on the face, and his eyes, the lamps of his soul, plunged me into the darkness of shame and grief before he darted away.  Silently, his older brother picked up the garbage bag, the bone of our contention, and walked outside.

Chaos reigned in this tiny rental house where we temporarily housed our family of seven while looking for something permanent.  Trying to pack lunches for five children before piling them in the van to transport them to Christian school, I was wrapping the brown bags and reminding our middle son to take out the trash when someone turned on the water, drenching the bags, and he loudly protested it wasn’t his turn. Something snapped, and it was me.

I saw movement behind the drapes in the living room.  It was the boy who so wanted to be found. I pulled him into my arms, set aside the day’s reading, and turned to Colossians 3 and Paul’s exhortation to forgive one another even as Christ has forgiven us.  As we drove, my tears continued to fall, and my boy asked:  “Mommy, does the Blood still work today?” When I nodded yes, he replied: “Then you should be glad, not sad.”

When we have offended others and grieved God, we carry the weight as a load.  God calls us to cast our cares upon Him who cares for us. If you have confessed your sin to God and the one you offended, receive the remission of your sins.

Lord, I bring nothing, but I cling to You and receive forgiveness and the pardoning of my sin.


Feel free to use or adapt these materials, but please acknowledge and give credit to charlottesreaders.com  These materials are copyrighted. You may distribute them for personal use, but they cannot be sold.

 


Previous Posts

Choosing your Identity in God
Charlotte S. Snead
11/8/2020

Welcome Tour
Charlotte Snead
10/23/2018

Unity
Charlotte S. Snead
11/9/2015

What Love Isn't
Charlotte S. Snead
9/20/2015

Love in Marriage--A Disclaimer
Charlotte S. Snead
8/27/2015

Contentment--A Thanksgiving Devotion
Charlotte S. Snead
8/26/2015

Intimacy-It's More than you Think
Charlotte S. Snead
8/26/2015

Interpreting Martian
Charlotte S. Snead
8/26/2015

Making Friends
Charlotte S. Snead
8/26/2015

Christmas 2006
Charlotte S. Snead
8/26/2015

Something Worth Dying For
Charlotte S. Snead
8/26/2015

The Priority of Extravagant Love
Charlotte S. Snead
8/25/2015

Down Memory Lane--The Slap
Charlotte S. Snead
8/14/2015

Until Christ Be Formed in You
Charlotte S. Snead
8/14/2015

Give Thanks
Charlotte S. Snead
11/22/2014

Hope
Charlotte S. Snead
11/1/2013

Devotion for Leaders
Charlotte S. Snead
12/17/2012

A Time to Recaliberate
Charlotte S. Snead
9/6/2012

I Can't Do Goodness
Charlotte S. Snead
3/12/2012

She works Willingly
Charlotte S. Snead
2/27/2008

Raising Your Freak-Out Threshold
Charlotte S. Snead
9/2/2006

Finding our Significance
Charlotte S. Snead
5/20/2006

The Ephesians 5 Wife
Charlotte S. Snead
9/9/2002

It's All about Growth
Charlotte S. Snead
9/6/2002