When Grace has to Cross the Fence
Well, ain’t you just a sight for sore eyes, friend? Why don’t you just come right on up here on this ol’ front porch and sit yourself down before some lil’ ol’ critter around here tries your patience harder than an ol’ rooster peckin’ at a shiny hubcap? Lovin’ pleasant folks is plum easy enough. It’s the difficult ones that downright make us discover whether our Christianity has some real strong roots or just some pretty, fragile leaves.
Jesus gets mighty plain in Matthew 5:43-44, when He says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”. That there’s a mighty tall order, friend, when somebody has sho’-nuff’ done hurt you.
Peter probably thought he was bein’ real generous when he asked Jesus how often he should forgive someone. Seven times sounded downright saintly. But in Matthew 18:21–22, Jesus answered, “Seventy times seven.” He wasn’t handin’ Peter a calculator. He was teachin’ him that grace don’t keep a little tally book tucked behind the flour sack.
That’s where Jonah sho’-nuff’ stumbled, too. He plum loved receivin’ God’s mercy but got about as sour as some ol’ green persimmons when God showed mercy to Nineveh.
Ain’t that just about like us sometimes?
We sho’-nuff’ want grace poured all over our mistakes like cream gravy over biscuits, then we hand somebody else forgiveness with a tiny lil’ ol’ eyedropper.
Colossians 3:13 says, “Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” That there don’t mean pretendin’ the hurt didn’t matter. Forgiveness means plum surrenderin’ your right to carry bitterness like an ol’ snappin’ turtle that clamped onto your ankle.
You gotta forgive because Christ downright forgave you first.
Father, You know the people that have hurt me and the places where bitterness still lives in my heart. Give me Your strength to forgive, Your compassion to pray, and Your grace to love when my feelings resist. Help me remember how freely You have forgiven me. Make my life a reflection of Your mercy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Well, there it is now, so git to scootin’ right on along onto the path leadin’ to the rest of your day out there in this ol’ wide world, friend, and don’t you be haulin’ yesterday’s grudges around like a lil’ ol’ possum plum draggin’ a feed sack uphill. Bitterness is some mighty heavy cargo. Grace travels a whole lot lighter. And when you git to lettin’ Jesus carry what wounded you, you’re finally free to walk forward with both hands open and plum ready to receive from the Lord.
With joy,
Gwen
