Heading out the front door for work I discovered my keys were missing. I am insanely persistent to place them in their proper place since wasting time looking for items makes me crazy. The moment invested in depositing an item in its proper place saves me the future headache of searching.
My keys had just arrived in the mail the day before. My husband had taken them as a spare set on our out-of-state road trip and accidentally left them behind. They were missing for a week which was incredibly inconvenient and now the very next day after their return they are missing AGAIN. I felt frustrated, “Where did HE put my keys?”
Then something humbling happened! I remembered I had gone outside 5 minutes earlier to start my car for warm up. My missing keys were in the ignition right where I had left them! Instant conviction flooded over me. The Lord would no longer allow me to deny the bitterness I had allowed to take root in my heart. I was embarrassed by my own ugly sinfulness. I felt so indignant toward him yet I was the problem.
I was self-righteous as if I never make mistakes or disappoint. I can assure you that is not the case. This girl errors regularly. I was holding him to a double standard. I want to be forgiven but I didn’t want to forgive him of his perfectly normal mistake just because it had caused me such inconvenience.
My mind filled with Jesus’ words, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Mark 12:31. I am called to love my husband as I would want him to love me. I definitely want him to forgive me of my mistakes and not hold grudges or be bitter. I’m so thankful for a Savior who loves me enough to correct me and call me out on my sinfulness!
Has someone made a mistake that has inconvenienced you? Are you holding it against them or harboring bitterness? Could you reflect on your own lack of perfection and consider forgiveness?
“Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” Luke 7:47 NKJV
Copyright©2017, Gloria Stucky
Photo by Katy Belcher/Unsplash
Love love love this!! Thanks for your words of wisdom and inspiration. I lose things all the time 😊
I will think if this the next time Iose my cell phone in my house (and have to call it), or my glasses (and they might be pushed on top of my head like a headband)
Thanks Beth! I’m glad I’m not the only one:)