considerable grace

Thanks, TulipGirl, for this great Luther quote on restoring gently:

What does “restoring gently” look like? Luther explains, “when they see that those persons are sorrowful for their offenses, they should begin to raise them up again, to comfort them, and to mitigate their faults as much as they can—yet through mercy only, which they must set against sin, lest those who have fallen are swallowed up with depression.” And “. . .gently, and not in the zeal of severe justice.”

I read this when you first posted it back in January, and while I still have a LONG way to go in being more gentle, I must admit that it has helped me.

In particular, I am prayerfully striving to be faster at, more sincere about, giving people a break by graciously covering over their offenses.

As one example ...

The other day, Sophie replied to me in a very snippy and snide way. It surprised me and I truly didn’t know why she had done it. (There was no obvious temptation or presenting issue like me having just been a jerk to her or her being tired, etc.)

Of course I asked her about it. Our conversation went something like this:

"Whoa. Hon? What just happened?"

“I was disrespectful to you.”

“Yes, you were. Do you know WHY you were disrespectful, honey? Can you help me to understand what is going on in your heart?”

“Well. Mom? Do you ever do something or say something and even the MOMENT you do it, you wish you hadn’t?”

“Sure. I can relate to that. Is that what happened here?”

“Yes. And I’m sorry.”

“OK. No problem. Let’s just let it go.”

And we did.

“Love covers over a multitude of sins.” "Love is not easily provoked." “Be merciful just as your Heavenly Father is merciful.”

This is my prayer. Oh! This is my prayer.

Blessed Sunday to you—

Yours,
Tara B.