Relentless Grace: Clothe Yourself in Kindness and Humility
I don’t know why I get so angry. It’s not like what happened was that bad.
It’s tough being a parent. You do your best to lead your children and set an example of how to be like Jesus in everyday life.
But there are days when it all falls apart.
When I’ve asked my daughter to clean her room for the 15th time. When I’ve had a long day at work and I come home to find the dishes still in the sink and not a line of homework complete.
When I tell her it’s bedtime, and I know she’s blatantly ignoring my requests to brush her teeth.
Some days, I just snap. I say unkind words and in my heart I know I’m overreacting. My offense becomes far worse than hers.
Thank goodness we’re all broken. And thank goodness Jesus saves us from that brokenness.
Paul tells us in Colossians 3:12-17 how we, as God’s chosen people, are supposed to apply the Gospel in everyday life.
“Put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other…” (Col. 3:12-13)
This should be our response. How God wants us to live. Easier said than done, right?
I know my daughter will forgive me, and I will forgive her. Our family is fine.
But what about the “outside world”? Between co-workers, other parents, social media, etc. our feelings and our pride are bound to get hurt.
It’s then we have to remember that we’re all sinners. And we’re all in need of a savior and forgiveness.
“… just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.” (Col. 3:13 continued)
The clothing we choose to put on each day is how we will live out the Gospel to a friend that has wronged us, a stranger on the bus who won’t give up their seat, a person in line at the grocery with a bad attitude. This is how we are instructed to love one another.
Clothed in compassion. Clothed in kindness. Clothed in humility, gentleness … and Lord, we all need patience.
As the saying goes, “you may be the only Bible someone ever reads.” What do you want yours to say?
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