Hello there! On the eve of our 30th day the word I have to offer is TRUTH.
Jim Fleming and his wife Rochelle taught us so may things in the two years that we lived in Memphis, but one of my favorite thoughts of Jim’s was that Jesus’ way is 100% truth and 100% grace, always. Truth can never be less than it is and grace must cover a multitude of sin, so 100% of each is the only way. Isn’t that beautiful?
I was challenged today to embrace this mindset in parenting when an urgent call from Malachi (19) came in this afternoon. (He’s given me permission to share this.) He’d been speeding along the highway, coming home, when he’d been snagged by a hidden police car clocking him. Malachi called me immediately, hoping that we could tell Dennis together. You see Dennis had recently felt overwhelmed at the death of a young patient, though not his own, and had called Malachi just to hear his voice. Malachi felt he’d trampled on his dad’s fragile emotions by acting recklessly. Dennis was able to graciously receive the humble apology from Malachi on the phone, because I’d already laid out the consequences! 100% grace from Dennis, and 100% truth from Grace.
Just before settling in to chat with you, I found the name of the police officer who’d issued the ticket and wrote him a thank you note. What if he’d not seen our young driver and just let him zip home? Maybe he and his passenger, Salomé (16), wouldn’t be with us now!
Who are the truth-tellers and grace-givers in our lives? Let’s tell them of the essential value they are to us individually and in community. These are the days when the Lord counts on us to encourage the brethren. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7
Good night dear hearts, blessings on your day! See you soon!
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