The kids were playing well together. She took the opportunity to sneak out of the room and get some other chores done.
She glanced at the clock – her friend was later than expected. They were supposed to head out for coffee together and she hadn’t heard anything yet.
She smiled and continued on with her work. Having been recently convicted of her judgmental tendencies, she refused to judge her friends arrival time. Instead she chose to extend grace, knowing that she, too, had little kids at home and getting out the door can practically be an Olympic event, and enjoying the fact that the dishwasher would be running happily while she was gone, making this coffee date practically a multi-tasking marvel.
Yes, she managed to not judge her friend in her speech or thoughts.
She offered up a little prayer of thanksgiving to God. “Thank you for convicting me to work in this area and thank you for helping me do it your way, God. Amen.”
——
Tuesday I talked about 12 Truths to Change Your Marriage, the newest book from Nina Roesner, author of The Respect Dare. (PS there’s a giveaway in this post, so you’re going to want to check it out, just saying)
What I didn’t tell you is the Chapter 4 called “The More You Get to Know God the More You’ll See Your Own Sin (and That’s OK)” was a very pinnacle chapter for me.
You see, I have no doubt that God has had His hand in books and Bible studies and teachings I have been exposed to over a number of years now. After learning from The Respect Dare that my attitude had a lot to do with my own marital happiness, I started looking for more joy.
More joy led me to seeing things differently in my home. Which sometimes made me think I had it all figured out (and still do) [read – prideful] and more and more through different encounters I’m looking at some different sins in my life like complaining and judging.
Neither of these sins offer very much grace to the situation or to the people involved. So I’m still stealing joy but now it’s different and it’s sneakier. At least it is for me.
Why do I tell you all this?
Well, one reason is because, no, I don’t have it all figured out. I know I am on a journey and that I will not be perfect until Jesus calls me home. And I’m humbled that you’re willing to journey with me so we can learn from each other.
And the other reason is to celebrate the moments when we all are able to get it right.
Like when I stoop down and play with my son for 3 seconds but get the biggest heart-smile from him and in me for that contact.
Or when my daughter wants to snuggle and I don’t even think about the dishes.
And I KNOW you’ve had wins today – realizing that you have grown SO much in an area that God has been working on with you.
I don’t think it’s prideful to acknowledge a way the Lord has given us a win. It’s prideful when we think it’s us. So I want to celebrate the wins. In the comments, will you leave your own wins this week? The ways in which you see that you are being shaped and how you got a SCORE! in that area?
Maybe you aren’t having a “win” kind of week. That’s ok. That’s why it’s called a journey.
And this is truth for all of us:
“I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” -Psalm 16:8
Dare 36 is powerful when we are able to realize the truth of what God is growing in and through us.
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