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Topic: Concentration (07/24/08)
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TITLE: Responding to God's Love | Previous Challenge Entry
By Judy Watters
07/31/08 -
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And He loves me in spite of myself and the continual blunders I make. Then, why is it that I have such a difficult time forgiving and forgetting other people's sins? Why do I consider their sins so monumental?
Our son, Ben, has been in and out of trouble. In his sophomore year, he chose the wrong friends and easily fell into the drugs and shoplifting. Four weeks before high school graduation, Ben was expelled when he popped a pill and chased it with vodka at the Christian school prom. This has hit me hard. We are a Christian family; we love the Lord; Ben knows the Lord, but that doesn't seem to matter. Our pastor and Ben's counselor says that Ben just does whatever feels good at the time, and he fails to consider the consequences. He seems to be able to hold everything together for a few weeks and then he gives into temptation again.
My own emotions have taken a ride on a virtual roller coaster. Because of his actions, Ben has missed out on graduation, State Golf Tournament, and a graduation road trip to New York City with his buddies. I am angry with him. I've tried to see him through Christ's eyes. It's not working! He's our baby, and I do love him with all my heart. I try to remind myself that God forgives me over and over and even forgets my sins. I know I need to do the same with Ben.
Our daughter, Mary, finished her first year of college in May. Here she met her first homosexual person...in fact, she met several of them. They all realized that Mary's Christian walk was strong, but they didn't realize how strong. Through her love for the Lord, Mary reached out to her new friends. She loves running and introduced Ruben, one of her new buddies, to the sport. She talked Ruben into giving up his smoking and eased into the talk on his choice of lifestyles as he brought up her Christianity. He looked forward to their runs and talks. She introduced Ruben to Church Under the Bridge where she worked with the homeless and everyone is welcomed regardless of piercings, tattoos, or tattered clothes. Mary is able to overlook the sin and love the sinner.
I am learning hard lessons here. Every morning as I open my eyes, I visually concentrate my thoughts on pushing Ben to the foot of the cross. I know that one of these days he will stay there of his own accord. Today and every day after this, I am choosing to overlook the sin and love the sinner.
God is good. His mercies are new every morning. Every morning we have choices to make, and it is up to us to make the right choices. Ruben is a sinner; Ben is a sinner; Mary is a sinner; I am a sinner. We all sin and there is no hierarchy of sins. Therefore, I will choose to honor my Lord from now on by concentrating on the sinner's soul and his eternity, rather than on the sin that is just as disgusting as my own. It is all forgivable and forgettable.
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