by Stacy Pelz
Originally posted on www.dailysurrendertojesus.com
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Sitting on the curb listening to the deep rumble of rigs on the freeway. Tears falling on asphalt as I lean over my knees, holding them close, rocking away the feelings of failure and guilt. My dad's new car now mangled by my one careless moment of inattention, was now towed away, but I was left to wait in the parking lot of a nearby restaurant. The sun was shining, birds cooing, people smiling as they stepped by me on break for lunch, but I only saw the shadow of black between my feet, head bowed with shame, for the scenario seemed altogether too familiar. A brief distraction teamed with too much speed, and the third of my father's cars... totalled.
I remembered the words of my driver's ed teacher... "You have to pass this test to get your license, but the real test begins after you pass." I had failed the real test.
Perhaps my last failure could be blamed on the black ice, but this one... this momentary neglect while merging onto the freeway made me shake my head at the silly girl who just two years before rushed into the room proudly waving that slip of paper exclaiming "100%!" with head held high. Such a different posture from this girl waiting quietly for dad to arrive.
Empty of thought, struggling for ease of breathe, numb, until I saw a familiar set of shoes beside me and an arm of love wrapped gently around my shoulder. "Dad, I'm so sorry about your car!" Perhaps 2 could be forgiven, but 3? That was surely asking too much. 3 strikes and you're out, right?
But my compassionate father understood 70 x 7, and his arms of forgiveness held a little tighter as he whispered words of honeycomb, "A car is replaceable. But you are not."
That was when I first noticed the cement being prepared for pouring into a new life. The churning of thoughts, and glimpses of understanding... Cement for a new foundation. That was when God first whispered the word grace into my life.
"You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love"
"He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."
(Neh 9:17, 2Cr 12:9)
"He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."
(Neh 9:17, 2Cr 12:9)
Will you boast with me, about our weaknesses, so that Christ would be glorified? So that His grace would be brought to light? When, in your life, have you walked in failure only to see the faithful hand of God come through with grace?
