I’m resurrecting some old posts from the archives; cleaning them up, updating them, and sharing them again here on the blog. I’ve realized recently how much I miss blogging–my own practice of writing and sharing but probably, more importantly, reading the wise words of others.
Instagram is awesome and my favorite social media hang-out, but man, the good old days of blogging were something! Elizabeth Foss In the Heart of My Home, Like Mother Like Daughter, are the two that immediately come to mind–there are more, I just can’t think of them off the top of my head.
Here’s an old post I first shared in 2015–yes, I’ve been blogging that long! Even longer actually! I’ve spruced it up a bit and updated it with fresh words and pictures.
I am a perfect specimen of an imperfect woman. I’m sure if my husband heard me say that out loud he’d die laughing! It’s just as true for me though as I’m pretty sure it is for you.
I strive for virtue and try to run from vice–or at least I want to strive for virtue and want to run from vice. But sometimes I’m too slow and it catches up to me.
“Your spirit is eager enough, but your humanity is weak.”
+Matthew 26:41 (TPT)
I can be greedy and gossipy, rude and reclusive, selfish and sinful, obnoxious and obstinate. I can also easily blame this on circumstances, other people, and being hungry.
But please, grant me grace for where I am and who I am, not who you thought I was or would like for me to be. Let’s do this grace exchange for each other ok? Let’s assume the best. (Have you seen our Bible Study on Kindness? It comes with a Scripture Writing Plan and Journaling Reflection Questions.)
Our family examination of conscience has these words towards the bottom, “Assume the best…forgive the worst.” I don’t know where I found them, read them, or came up with them–it’s been too long ago since we made that sign.
Maybe the words came from how I treat myself, “Boy, you really lost it back there! But you are hungry…” Or, “Well that was a stupid way to handle that situation, but you have been under a lot of stress and that three-day nagging headache isn’t making things any better…”
You see, I may not be who you think I am…or want me to be. I struggle differently than you and just because you don’t see it, does not mean it isn’t there; some days just below the surface. I have fought hard and struggled to get closer to God to get where I am today, but old habits die hard and deep wounds heal slowly.
You may see me…and I may see someone else and think, “Wow, they are so (insert only great adjectives here!)” When in reality, we are all just doing the best we can and that looks different depending on the person, family, day, week, month, and recent “unprecedented year(s)”.
Some days I may have a clean house and joyful children who completed all their school work. Other days I may call a pajama day and we eat popcorn for lunch because that’s all I’ve got to give.
Some days I pray like nobody’s business–using my prayer journal all–“professional pray-er” style, and other days I struggle–hard. Formal prayers are not even attempted and conversation-style prayer is really more a bunch of hurried cries for “help” “strength” and “patience.”
I hope you don’t read this post and think it’s all about me–this post isn’t just about me, it’s about all of us. We are all suffering or struggling in our own way. And you know what that feels like right–it feels like the struggle is real!
So let’s be kind to each other. Let’s extend grace instead of gossip, mercy instead of making fun of, love for someone instead of laughing at them, prayer instead of backbiting.
Some people need neither a cheerleader nor a counselor…they just need some quiet to process life on their own. And friends who grant them grace..you know, the “no strings attached” kind of grace.
Let’s always assume the best and forgive the worst and pray others will do the same for us.
Clare says
I like that…’Assume the best’!
[email protected] says
Great reminder and exhortation. It’s so easy to make judgements based on a little bit of information. I know that my pride causes this. I like how you encouraged us to take things one step further by choosing to forgive as well. Thanks!
Joy says
This is a great perspective! It can be easy sometimes to slip into judgment. I love this way of thinking! I think we also need to do this for ourselves, I judge myself quite harshly some days
Jenny says
Oh Amen! Yes, we can be our own worst judge can’t we?
Michelle says
Well, I hope you don’t mind a cheerleader today because your wisdom and words are G.R.E.A.T ~ GRREEAAAT!!! Thank you. I was a Pee Wee cheerleader back in the day. Although that sounded more like Tony the Tiger.
I love how the Holy Spirit guides his faithful along together because when I randomly opened my My Daily Bread, it was on: CONQUERING BAD HABITS and I hope you don’t mind my sharing it with you.
Pray: My Jesus, King of my heart, give me some of Your Kindness, so that I may always think well of my neighbor. I do not know everything about him. Perhaps he cannot help doing what I disapprove. There may be a hundred excusing causes for what he does. Let me leave all judgment in Your hands and try to over look what others do. Teach me to mind my own business and to pray for those who seem to need it. Never will I forget Your great Mercy to me, a sinner. As You forgive me, so may I always forgive those who offend me. Never will I reveal the hidden faults of another, except where I am obliged to protect those who are innocent or for the public good. Amen.
Jenny says
Thank you Michelle! That reflection was absolutely beautiful and spot on!!
Coupon Gal (Andi) says
the only one we have to please is God – not man…