Everyone needs a "new day"...
...a "new start"...
...a "chance to start over..."
...a "chance to have the slate wiped clean..."
~That's why we have Jesus. His blood washes us "spic-n-span." His mercies are new every morning. (For me, sometimes I have to paraphrase that one and say, EVERY MOMENT)
You would think that with the grace we receive from God, that we would be more grace-giving people...yet...
...somehow, we still hold a grudge, still remember a person's "ill moment", and refuse to "give in" or forgive.
Yesterday, God gave me a fresh slate...again...and a new hope with "my" rainbow.
He never says, "Heaven, I'm tired of doing this for you. Grow up already."
I woke up this morning, and God told me to give someone a "rainbow" today. He wanted me to wipe the slate clean, start fresh, and rearrange my thinking regarding my 12-year old. Zach needed a "new day" today.
I wanted to argue, and asked God if He saw the "tude" that this dude had been toting around with him the last couple days. My arguing was short-lived, as God quickly reminded me of yesterday. I said, "O-kay God, but I hope you know what You're doing."
I pulled Zach aside this morning and told him he's had a couple of rough days with his attitude, which he quickly agreed to. I explained that I understood he was miserable, but that I was too, and that it hasn't been fun "fighting" with him.
"I know, mom, I'm grounded from EVERYTHING today!"
The attitude started to growl in the pit of his stomach...the "monster" was awake.
I calmly told him that he needed a new day...a fresh start...a chance to start over...and that today was the day.
He looked at me as if I had lost my mind, and I sensed he needed an added explanation. I told him that all of his privileges were re-instated, and that he had a chance to start all over today...a chance to have a great day...a chance to have a clean slate...and to realign his attitude.
...That was at 7:00 a.m.
...it is now 11:15 a.m.
~~It is compliance city around here...and peaceful...and quiet...and in the distance, I think I even hear laughter...
God really does know what He's doing, now doesn't he???
Is there someone in your life today that needs a "new day" from you...a sibling, a parent, a child, a Pastor, a friend, a co-worker, a spouse...?
Are you carrying grievances around that prevent you from truly living in a "new day".
If you said yes to either question, then today is the day, and now is the moment, to put the baggage down, breathe in the grace that God has given you, and then release that grace into that person's life...
January 15, 2009
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11 comments:
I needed this today. God is showing me that I need to share a few rainbows with others as well.
Sometimes what seems so simple is often the hardest thing to do.
Better get sharing,
Paulette
that is awesome Heaven! so neat how it has been pleasant in your neck of the woods because you chose to listen and obey the Lord :)
betty
I know I sometimes forget to pass along the grace. How cool for you to share that with your son, and how cool for him to see grace in action. Keep warm!
Debbie
ps: No school here again tomorrow!
What a great example of what it means to "not exasperate your children." I only wish I had seen this 20 years ago. :)
Great job Heaven.
Good post, and grace is so freeing. God balances grace and justice perfectly. I tend to go all or nothing--switching from one to another!
This was such a great post and beautiful reminder about the freedom in receiving and giving grace.
I was looking at the pictures of your boys while reading. You have a good looking family there! The way you handled things with your son is a great lesson for all of us parents.
You know, we as parents make some of those same "attitude mistakes" that our children make, but our children can't punish us. We automatically get a fresh slate because they can't hold us accountable. That's a beautiful gift you gave your son, because you put a little something in his heart that no one else can take away.
I wanted to thank you for your prayers this week :)
God Bless,
Sharon
So true. It's hard to set those boundaries and live by them. But we also have to know when to extend GRACE to those around us. Beautiful.
What a beautiful post! Thank you for sharing. Isn't it wonderful also, that when we release that other person - and give them a new slate... that God takes a heavy burden off of our shoulders. Forgiveness from us grants us freedom too!
Sweet!
Have a blessed day!
DeeDee
What a great post!
Everyone needs a new day every now and then.
BTW....TAG!! You're it!
I'm guessing your son will never forget this true life example of grace and mercy. Thank you for sharing such a sweet part of your life.
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