Good morning…
Following our recent post My Stupid Decision, she wrote a very encouraging email, encouragement I think we all can learn from in the classroom of God’s grace.
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Dear Sue,
Stupid decisions, the little ones: I make them every day. Usually it is hitting “send” too quickly.
But the recent big one came in a very public way – do you remember? Kind words and good advice flooded in. It is not the act that defines you, it is what you do next…. (phrased much more eloquently and in many different ways.)
The love of God supported our family – and we gave one another the love and support that we needed in that difficult time. I really felt God’s presence. It would have been too simple for us to turn on one another, cave into the temptations of blaming and shaming.
When I have the flu, a cold or something worse, I crawl into bed and pull up the covers until it goes away. With physical illness, I don’t want conversation, well wishers or even the food bearers.
But in “the day after” scenarios you describe, I find routine the best medicine. Get up, shower, coffee (ABSOLUTELY COFFEE) right shoe, left shoe, chin up, face the day. No expectations, deep breaths. This too shall pass.
Love to you, the friend sitting beside you as we learn the lessons of God’s grace.
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She is right. Whatever we wake up to, this too shall pass. We are like a puff of wind; our days are like a passing shadow (Psalm 144:4, GNT). Hers is powerful, practical advice when we face “the day after” scenario. Return to routine. Get up, shower, coffee (ABSOLUTELY COFFEE) right shoe, left shoe, chin up, face the day. No expectations, deep breaths.
I do want to point out, friends, that time is of the essence. There is no time to waste, so don’t complicate your lives unnecessarily. Keep it simple—in marriage, grief, joy, whatever (1 Corinthians 7:29-30, MSG).
…Sue…
