Understanding
"I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened
me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, even though
I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I
received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our
Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into
the world to save sinners - of whom I am the foremost. But for that very
reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might
display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to
believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal,
invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen"
I Timothy 1:12 -
17 NRSV
It took fourteen years for our daughter and her boyfriend to make
it official. Fourteen years of denial, frustration, patience, and
perseverance. As a parent it was all of those emotions as well as the joy
and expectation that all the feelings would one day line up and they would be
wed.
It caused me to pause as I walked Mandy down the aisle. The
emotions, memories and hopes for her future were giving expression in my face
and my heart. It didn't help that she had asked me to keep her smiling so
she could make it down the aisle. It was a moment I will never forget.
Standing in front of them as the ceremony proceeded I found myself
so aware of God's love and forgiveness in my life. All the trials I had
gone through that included many of the aspects mentioned by Paul in his letter
to Timothy. Yet God found me in his time and gave me the
greatest of gifts, forgiveness. Through this gift and the movement
of God's spirit in my life I was now able to do more than just give away the
bride. I was able to represent God’s love to my children in a way we will
remember forever.
This, I believe, is the true understanding God has for
each of us. And when we respond affirmatively to this understanding, and
forgiveness, our ministry is blessed anew by the one to whom all honor and
glory is given forever.
Prayer: "Dear Lord, your love and
forgiveness is ever evident in my life. I give you thanks and pray that I
may represent these gifts to all I meet every day. Amen"
This week show understanding and compassion to a friend, a
relative, or the next person you meet.