Three Strikes

Have you ever had one of those days when things just didn’t go your way?  Last week, my daughter did. 

It all started when she was accidentally poked in the eye during PE class.  Later, her misfortune progressed to falling off the ladder of our treehouse.  As I heard the screams, I came running to find her looking like a pretzel – one foot still on the third step of the ladder, arms twisted under and behind her and chin on the ground with a mouthful of mulch.  Luckily, there were no major injuries and I was able to nurse her back to happiness.  She was a trooper following both incidents but the final mishap of the day pushed her over the edge and into a fit of frustration.  You see, the door in my office will only stay open if it’s held in place by a door stop.  Otherwise it slowly inches back towards the door frame. She entered my office, talked for a minute and as she turned to exit, met the door square in the face.  It happened so quickly that I was unable to intervene.  Her response, “That’s it! I’m going to bed.  Tomorrow has to be a better day.”

I’ve had similar days in my walk with the Lord.  Those days that everything seemed to go awry – I just couldn’t get it right.  I desperately wanted to please and glorify Him, yet my words and reactions were woefully askew.  I prayed, “Lord, help me to be patient with my children,” yet spoke in frustration anyway.  Or, “Lord, help me to have the willpower to not eat that chocolate,” yet overindulged because my flesh is weak.” Or, “Lord, help me to love my husband as you love him,” yet complain to him about his schedule and question his priorities instead of acting with thanksgiving that he’s a hard worker and provides for our family.    

But thankfully, I’m reminded of God’s mercy and grace.  As I approach Him with a broken heart over my actions and behavior, He forgives me.  He forgives me and remembers those sins no more!  We serve a loving God who redeems us.  Seek His forgiveness and tomorrow becomes the promise of a new day.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him. Psalm 103:11-13

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