Today at Bethlehem, we had a guest pastor, a regular guest, C.J. Mahaney speak about looking for the "evidences of grace" in others, rather than their faults. What he means is, look for the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control) and also the gifts of the spirit (teaching, evangelism, leading, mercy, etc) in others---espsecially those in our own households---because it is so darn easy otherwise to see nothing but faults in our spouse or children. I'm guilty of that, for sure.
Well, here's a great one in my oldest son Nicholas and his 5 year old sister Hannah today. I just had to administer a timeout and a session of exhortation to Nicholas about speaking harshly with his sister (gee, I wonder where he get's that from...Hmm, could it be...His Dad?!). And not 2 minutes later, he and his sister collide while carrying milk-glasses to the dinner table...and milk flies EVERYWHERE!! Onto Hannah's dress, her feet, and even into her hair. It was a 1st class mess.
Folks, my kids have all been, at times, so hypersensitive and "touchy" that they have been known to launch into thermonuclear fits if molecule of air lands wrong on their skin. So I expected bucketloads of emotions, anger and tears to come pouring out of this situation. But it never did. Hannah just stood looking stunned, and wondered how the milk would come out of her hair. But as a miracle of God's grace, we all handled it, taking it in stride and moving forward to a quick clean-up and lots of forgiveness and apologies.
Wow! I was stunned at how wonderfully both Nicholas and Hannah (and me too, to be honest) handled the situation and never cried over spilled milk. I rewarded both of them with a little sweet treat and praised them abundantly.
I just had to share this little victory in hopes you find the same evidences of grace in your family this week!
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