Being a teacher as long as I have, you figure out that you will always have some “problem students” or those that are more challenging, simply because they battle anyone who is in authority over them.
Not to long ago, I had someone say to me “I dont know why you are so nice to them, they have no respect for anyone and Im tired of dealing with them, but EVERYDAY you are nice to them?!” I simply said, without hesitation; “I believe everyone should start with a clean slate regardless of what happened the day before”.
They just shook their head in disbelief. I really did understand the reasoning and frustration behind the comment, but I still believe what I believe. The comment did bother me a bit, not personally, but what that person said just didn’t settle right in my Spirit....then in true “Jen fashion” I began to dissect my thoughts to better try and understand what I was feeling...then it hit me and I smiled to myself.
Lamentations 3:22-23
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness
Thank God, these are my Lords promises. Thank God He allows us to fail, day after day after day and yet still loves us and still treats us with respect. This doesn't mean He agrees with our choices or even that He is thrilled with them. It doesn't mean that we don't drive Him nuts when we don't choose His wisdom, and that we don't break His heart when we choose poorly. What it does mean is that He continues to love us, continues to wipe our tears after we fail, continues to pick us back up and dust us off after we fail to heed his wisdom. His mercies NEW every morning. Should we not walk and treat others with the grace that He gives us? Should we not love people RIGHT WHERE THEY ARE????
If He loves us in such a beautiful way, shouldn't we treat others with the same grace?
