Love in the Ripples

We are stretched-out in the den.  It is too early to go to bed and too late to start something new: "hang time."  And so, we visit.

Her heart is in her eyes as she shares some of her dreams of travel.  Toes wiggle as she shares her favorite dreams and squirms in delight as thoughts take shape into words and words form into possible plans.  

At an inappropriate moment according to her unspoken gauge, I correct my daughter.  And the visiting stops abruptly.  The action speaks louder than words.  I corrected.  She rejected it.

And the strange thing is that I felt robbed of our mother-daughter intimacy!  I wonder if I have made a mistake: Why couldn't I have waited to bring that topic up?  Why do I always have to teach and correct?  Why can't I just listen?  

Like that stone being thrown into a peaceful pond, ripples spread again.  And the ripples become a wake pushing us apart.  If only she knew my heart. . .

Father, Do You ever feel that way when our relationship is moving comfortably along and You open my eyes to ways I move away from You, doing my own thing?  I sometimes walk away from our intimacy by the momentary rejection Your teaching, not welcoming the correction.  

My daughter, I understand.  I do it because, "When I fed (you), (you) were satisfied; when (you) were satisfied, you became proud; then (you) forgot Me." (Hosea 13:6)  

Ouch.  
At first, it feels like You cause ripples in my plans just because You want to.  But, I have known You long enough to embrace the fact that You love me by teaching me in the dailiness of life and if I harden my heart against You, more trouble will come.  How blessed is the man who fears always, but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.  (Proverb 28:14)  Thank You for teaching me. 

And quietly a Psalm comes to mind:  Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting.  Let the redeemed of the Lord say so . . . (Psalm 107:1-2a)  

And a reminder from our Lord comes to mind:  My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord, or loathe His reproof, for whom the Lord loves He reproves, even as a father, the son in whom he delights.  (Proverb 3:11-12)

And there is Love in the ripples.
Love always,
Angie

Stones and ripples

An email was the heralding stone being hurled through the air.  Love is patient.

And the impact?  Shattering of peaceful trust like the stone penetrating the surface of a still pond, spewing the waters and sending ripples to the very edges of its perimeters.  Love bears all things.

The moment happened days ago, but the ripples keep coming.  Love endures all things.

A sinful choice struck deep hurt into our hearts. Love is not provoked.

Not only was the one choosing to sin effected, but everyone closest to him.  Love is kind.  Especially those of us who love him most.  Love never fails.  

For us, there has been disbelief, questions, hurt, betrayal, . . . an open wound not yet healed by time.  Love does not take into account a wrong suffered.

And for the sinner, what has been his response? Shame, guilt, hiding, lies, darkness, separation.  He wanted to shield us from the choices he had made.

As a child of the King of kings, what should our response be?  Walk with the sinner, extend grace, live out mercy, offer accountability, and keep His hope in view by offering the very love we are taught to give in 1 Corinthians 13.

Why do we ever choose anything other than Life with Love.
Love has a name . . . Jesus.

Love always,
Angie