Listen:
“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.” (Ephesians 4:2 NLT)
Reflect:
I have a child who makes me feel like I am a very patient parent. I have another child who makes me feel like I am the least patient parent on planet earth. How can I be patient with one and not the other? When I evaluate the difference, I am patient with the one who is highly compliant and doesn’t actually require patience from me. Ouch. In both scenarios, maybe what is true is that I don’t have patience or allowance for faults, and one child just exposes that truth more than the other.
I love my children. I love my husband. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for my family. And still, pride festers in my heart. If I deny that it is there, I fall victim to its growth, and so do the people around me. When I acknowledge it rearing its ugly head, I can rebuke it, die to myself, pick up my cross and receive a flood of mercy and transformation. Thank you, Jesus.
To my son that requires a lot of patience from me, I can apologize for not being patient, gentle or kind, asking for his forgiveness and help from the Holy Spirit of the Living God. To my parent-pleasing son, I can more intentionally remind him that he doesn’t have to try to be perfect in order to receive my love.
I am so thankful that Christ’s mercies are new every morning. His humility, gentleness and kindness toward me inspire me to daily pick up my cross and follow Him.
Prayer of Response:
Help me to humble. Help me to be gentle. Help me to make allowance for the faults of others as you have made allowance for my faults. When I am stuck in pride, forgive me, Jesus, and remind me of your goodness toward me. We love because you FIRST loved us. Thank you for the gift of your forgiveness and the opportunity to try again. Amen.
Questions to Ponder:
- Do your loved ones feel safe to fail or falter around you?
- Who requires the most patience from you? How can you do a better job of giving it?
—Submitted by: Erinne Baker
Erinne and her husband Travis live in Klamath Falls, Oregon where they are raising their four kids: Charlotte (12), Benjamin (9), William (7) and Wyatt (4). She is a pursuer of truth and learner of what it means to trust God and live a life fueled by love and grace. She is an ordained pastor and has a blog called: http//:truthseekeraskingquestions.com.