The day after returning from the retreat was my scheduled "personal retreat". There was no time to play catch up after being away so things were just left, including the laundry. But when I came home from my time with the Lord my husband was graciously folding clean laundry. Part of his gift in providing this retreat time was carrying the household responsibilities while I was away.
Sounds like the makings for a happy reunion right? Well, it was actually a test for me, and I've asked Tim if I could blog about this test. He humbly agreed to it.
Tim, who used to do all the laundry when there were babies in the house (and he did it quite well) is a little out of practice. Instead of separating my tops from the rest of the wash, they were included with everything else and instead of using cold water he used HOT.
I had a choice to extend mercy. I know he was trying to be kind. I know he had my good in mind. I know he didn't strategize to make me unhappy. But I really, really, wanted to give in to disappointment and yes, anger. But God gave me (and is still giving me) grace to remember "mercy triumphs over judgment" James 2:13. I could choose to make this about Tim's carelessness or I could make this about Tim's care. I could make this all about Tim's mistake, forgetting all the times I've messed up (burned holes in ironing his good shirt, splattered bleach on his jeans etc.) or I could choose to love. I'm choosing mercy because God, being rich in mercy, because of the great alove with which he loved us, even when I was dead in my trespasses, made me alive together with Christ - by grace I have been saved..." Eph. 2:4,5 and because like Aaron Osborn said at the conference, "it's just better". It really is.
And now I have two nice tops to give to one of my young sisters in the church.
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