Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful In prayer.
Romans 12: 11-12
I remember sitting on the couch reading bedtime stories when my two children dressed in jammies pointed to my left hand and shrieked, “Your ring! Your diamond is missing!” My heart immediately sank. My ring, though precious, had a value far beyond dollars. I had vacuumed our braided living room rug earlier that day, and now within seconds, had lost hope. We all jumped down on our hands and knees to search the area.
It could have been anywhere. Within minutes, however, my son had retrieved it, yelling in his excitement, “Look, look!”
I was in tears. The naysayer in me had been doubtful, but my young son had uncovered the missing jewel, and I could not have been more grateful.
Later that night, as I opened my Bible, my eyes fell on the Parable of the Lost Coin. I could only imagine what it must have been like for the woman here who swept her home to uncover a silver coin. Luke’s story continues: “And when she finds it, she calls her friends, and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over a sinner who repents” (Luke 15: 8-10).
Both the woman and I lost something of importance, but the reality of daily living is not about money or possessions. There is a bigger lesson here. God’s focus is always on the immeasurable value of the relationships we have with those we love and hold dear. On some level, we all know this, but until a wrong turn is taken, we may not realize or have internalized the Impact our words or actions make. It is never too late to say we’re sorry and ask for forgiveness. That includes you and me.
Material possessions get lost, but when loved ones lose their way, the aftermath can be even more devastating. It has been recorded: “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on this law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither-whatever they do prospers”
(Psalm 1: 1-3).
These verses remind me how vital it is to keep yourself unstained from the immoral and questionable behaviors in society today. Instead of conforming to world customs and views, it is my job to allow God to transform me through his Word. I must remember who I am as a daughter of the Most High King. I am a spiritual being having an earthly experience–not the other way around.
Maybe you, like me, can relate to your own, or someone close to you who has a lapse in judgment and made poor choices, which so often alters life as we once knew it. Maybe you, too, have even fallen guilty by association with a sticky situation with heartbreaking results. Whatever the cause: addictions, greed, abrupt change of heart, self-centeredness, rebellious behavior, or words that cannot be taken back, pain and anguish for both parties is often the result. Relationships built upon for years can be severed in a single conversation or two.
Forgiveness does not come easy. I know I am a forgiven sinner. Being a woman who is human and not divine, loving with my heart and offering that same unconditional love and pardon to others, means being deep-rooted and entrenched in Jesus’ teachings. Life is fragile. When unforeseen circumstances arise, getting out of my head and into my heart is the only way to go. I am a better person when I ask God to help me with this.
The unconditional love and forgiven found in The Parable of the Lost Son brings this point home:
Jesus’ special concern for those who wander away from God and succumb to sin are illustrated in this story. Here one of the father’s two sons goes out and does many foolish things, and spends every cent of his inheritance. In the end after taking a job with pigs, and starving, the boy recognized sin, then heads home to plead to be forgiven (Luke 15: 11-19).
Somehow, the generous dad knew the outcome and suspected his son would learn a difficult lesson. The loving father waited, kept vigil, and prayed.
Until one day, “while he was a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him” (Luke 15: 20).
The Prodigal Son repented and the loving welcome of the forgiving father did not miss a beat. Unconditional love and mercy were freely given. The very best was offered to the wayward lad, and a feast with celebrating and rejoicing began (Luke 15: 21-31).
Maybe there’s something you lost, or someone in your life who needs forgiveness. Maybe you need to forgive yourself. Let God help you.
Let us pray.
Loving and Forgiving Father,
Thank you for being a God of second chances, and for helping me learn from my mistakes. Thank you, too, dear God for helping me to let go of past hurts and not carry them around with me.
I ask that you help me prioritize my life with my love for you and for helping me place those I care about at the very top of my list.
Teach me, O’ Lord, your ways. For you are “...compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love” (Psalm 103: 8).
Show me how to be a woman of grace. May I be kind and merciful to others just as you have forgiven me.
Amen.
Thank you, my friend, for being here, and walking with me as a woman of faith.
Until next time…
May the Spirit of God lead you, the Word of God sustain you, and the promises of God grant you the gift of everlasting peace.
With love and blessings.
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Author of Nourish Your Soul: 7 Secrets for Women Seeking Peace
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