Readings for today: Judges 15-16, John 2, Psalms 103, Proverbs 14:17-19
My wife and I were sitting down for dinner last week when one of our daughters came downstairs. She was in the middle of her homework. There were still dishes to do. A floor to sweep and mop. A lunch to be made. A room to clean. And it was getting late. She was tired. Frustrated. Upset. And I could tell by the look on her face that her internal critic was in overdrive. Telling her all kinds of lies. “You can’t get it all done.” “You are so far behind.” “You will flunk your assignment.” “You’ll never finish.” As we talked, her emotions escalated. Her voice raised. Tears came to her eyes. Her body language more animated. Now I will confess I used to escalate with her. I used to get angry. I too believed lies. “She’s just being disobedient.” “She’s trying to avoid work.” “She’s just wasting time.” My voice would raise. My body language would become animated. And we’d end up in a shouting match that just wrecked her spirit.
Meditating on Psalms like the one we read today have been so helpful. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's...The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children...” (Psalms 103:2-5, 8-17) You see, if God is merciful and gracious. If He is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. If He does not deal with me according to my sin. If He removes my sin as far as the east is from the west or as high as the heavens are above the earth. How can I do the same for the people in my life? I know their frames. I know they are dust just like me. I know they are fragile and anxious and afraid. So how can I encourage and bless? How can I crown them with steadfast love and mercy? How can I satisfy them with good so their strength is renewed?
So rather than yell, I simply held out my arms to my daughter. She resisted at first. I actually had to chase her around the kitchen for a full five minutes or so before she relented. She was so upset the last thing she wanted was a hug. But eventually she gave in. As I held her, her tears dried up. Her heart rate slowed down. You could feel her body relax. We started talking through everything she had to do. We identified the lies she was telling herself and I reminded her of the truth. “You have plenty of time.” “You are more than capable.” “Your mom and I are here to help.” She wrapped everything up in no time and was able to relax before bed.
Such a beautiful moment. And if I - a sinful, broken dad - can bless my children, how much more our Heavenly Father? I don’t know about you but I too often believe the lies. How can God forgive me? How can God love me? Where is God when I hurt? He must not care about my suffering? Psalm 103 teaches us the truth. Our Father forgives all our iniquity. He heals all our diseases. He lavishes all blessings on us. He removes our sin as far as the east is from the west and His steadfast love never fails. He is merciful. Gracious. Good. Compassionate. When we are anxious and afraid and find our emotions amping up, He simply holds out His arms to us. Inviting us into His embrace so He can give us peace.
Readings for tomorrow: Judges 17-18, John 3:1-21, Psalms 104:1-23, Proverbs 14:20-21