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.
Welcome Tour
10/23/2018 12:31:00 PM by: Charlotte Snead
Unity
11/9/2015 6:23:26 AM by: Charlotte S. Snead
What Love Isn't
9/20/2015 by: Charlotte S. Snead
Love in Marriage--A Disclaimer
8/27/2015 6:33:00 PM by: Charlotte S. Snead
Contentment--A Thanksgiving Devotion
8/26/2015 8:22:49 PM by: Charlotte S. Snead
Intimacy-It's More than you Think
8/26/2015 8:09:35 PM by: Charlotte S. Snead
Interpreting Martian
8/26/2015 6:32:30 PM by: Charlotte S. Snead
Making Friends
8/26/2015 9:18:10 AM by: Charlotte S. Snead
Christmas 2006
8/26/2015 7:59:48 AM by: Charlotte S. Snead
Something Worth Dying For
8/26/2015 7:43:07 AM by: Charlotte S. Snead
The Priority of Extravagant Love
8/25/2015 11:37:56 AM by: Charlotte S. Snead
Down Memory Lane--The Slap
8/14/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Charlotte S. Snead
Until Christ Be Formed in You
8/14/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Charlotte S. Snead
Give Thanks
11/22/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Charlotte S. Snead
Hope
11/1/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Charlotte S. Snead
Devotion for Leaders
12/17/2012 12:00:01 AM by: Charlotte S. Snead
A Time to Recaliberate
9/6/2012 12:00:01 AM by: Charlotte S. Snead
I Can't Do Goodness
3/12/2012 12:00:01 AM by: Charlotte S. Snead
She works Willingly
2/27/2008 12:00:01 AM by: Charlotte S. Snead
Raising Your Freak-Out Threshold
9/2/2006 12:00:01 AM by: Charlotte S. Snead
Finding our Significance
5/20/2006 12:00:01 AM by: Charlotte S. Snead
The Ephesians 5 Wife
9/9/2002 12:00:01 AM by: Charlotte S. Snead
It's All about Growth
9/6/2002 12:00:01 AM by: Charlotte S. Snead