Grace, Grace, God’s Grace

It isn’t always easy to see the best in other people.  Especially when they have been close friends and then they jab you with some truth.  It’s difficult to swallow.  But you honestly can’t be mad at someone for pointing out something that is true about yourself or your character.  I mean, after all, no matter if your friend is truly trying to help you, then that is why they are calling you out on this sin or character flaw.

Enter God’s grace…

Sure it would be easy just to ignore what your friend is saying to you.  You could ignore it or just skirt around the issue.  You could always follow the example of an ostrich and stick your head in the ground (either proverbially or literally).  But what good comes of that?

None!

I know that the closer you come to someone else, the more you will rub each other the wrong way.  Marriage does the same thing.  It isn’t easy.  I mean, you can get frustrated at each other or even mad and angry… but you share a bed together.  It isn’t enough to just sleep as close to the edge of the bed so you don’t touch your spouse.  I mean, that is pretty childish, right?  I can just hear it… 

“You hurt my feelings because you said that I leave my wet towels on the floor!  Well, I don’t want to be your friend anymore!”   LAME!!!!

Get off your stinkin’ high horse!  Here is some news for all of us (self included):

YOU!  ARE!  MESSED!  UP!!!!

There is nothing good about ANY of us.  We were created and due to the fall of man, we are screwed up.  We HAVE to have a Savior!  Jesus is the only Way.

God put you with that friend and with that spouse to purposefully rub you the wrong way.  Why?  Well, the book of James lays it out pretty well:

[Paraphrased] ‘Count yourself blessed when you go through some really bad rough patches.  Those rough patches are there to buff out the junk and pop out the dents in your heart and the way you interact with others.  Now, God didn’t make junk, but we do a good job of junking up ourselves.  If we follow Jesus, we will face rough patches…they HAVE to happen so you will be a bright and shining light for all the world to see.  And they won’t see you…they’ll see the One who made you.’

Until next time, my ponderers!

MTP