I was brutish and ignorant

Psalm 73:22:24  I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you. Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.

One of the interesting trends in public speaking is the new twist on the retraction. A prominent figure, celebrity, or politician may say something that is immediately picked up in the media. The typical excuse is that person “misspoke.” They really did not mean to say what they said. They really intended to say something kinder, gentler or more politically correct. Yah, right. And I have some beach front property in Arizona to sell if you buy into that one.

Have you ever said or done something that you later, or even immediately, regretted? Chances are you have at some point in your life. Do not kick your self too hard. We are all human and prone to failure. If you are a guy, women expect nothing less than for you to make mistakes (just kidding, I think.) But seriously, we do make mistakes. We are not perfect. We are human and the probability of human error is not one in a million, it is one in one. We are going to make mistakes. And it is just so very comforting to know that God accepts us as we are. We are his children.  He is our Father. He is Abba. He is Daddy. If you are a parent, there was a time when your own children looked up to you for acceptance when they made mistakes. There may have been a moment of disappointment, but then there was acceptance. It involves forgiveness. As a parent, forgiveness is probably the biggest lesson in faith we will ever experience. How can you as a parent withhold forgiveness from your children when you fully expect forgiveness from God your Father? Exactly, you cannot withhold that forgiveness. We must reconcile with our children. Honestly, I think being a parent has given me a better insight into what God must feel at times when he deals with me. And by extension, I am humbled by His love and forgiveness when I do boneheaded things. In Psalm 73, there is a reference to God holding the hand of the writer. That is an experience I can closely relate to. As a parent it reminds me of a time when I was there to reassure my children, by physical touch, that I was there to protect them and that I loved them. When I was a child, that reassurance from my parents was equally as strong when they held my hand. And it is intensely comforting to know that God is holding my hand through out all my life, guiding me, counseling me and later on receiving me to glory. Please, reach out to God and let Him hold your hand.  Praise be to God our Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit.

PRAYER: Abba, Father, You and You alone are my source of comfort and strength. You guide me, protect me and sustain me. As I go through this season of Lent, help me to remember that though I may be troubled when I remind myself of my sinful nature You are forgiving. Your love surrounds me and comforts me. For this O God I am an eternally grateful, Amen.