In Spite Of How We Are

Recently a parent shared how they had to withhold something their child loved to teach

the consequence of disobedience/disrespect.

Sometimes a parent’s love and compassion for a child permits a bit of ‘suffering’

to remind them of mom or dad’s authority.

 Poor, poor child who is left to his or her own will!!

We discipline our children because we love them, not out of vengeance or mean spirit.

So, don’t you think our Heavenly Father, who gave the best He had for us,

 because He loves us SO much and wants to reach or teach us

sometimes ‘takes back’ something that He simply lent to us in the first place?

How will we respond; with trust, humility and repentance or anger and rebellion?

The way we are will always need reminders; we forget

That what we have is lent; our human bent so quick to fret

And it is hard, too hard to trust if we have not received

The promise God has given us for all who have believed

If we have never bowed proud heads and cried ‘ Father, forgive’

If we have never heeded Mercy’s pleading ‘look and live’

If we have never felt hope's fountain overflow-and flow
With peace that passes understanding for our cup of woe

If we have not relinquished our will to One divine

Who works for our good through His mysterious design

If we have never (metaphorically) kissed Jesus’ feet

If we have never cried ‘how sweet Your words, dear Lord, how sweet’

If we have never been reminded in some deep, dark vale

That God is Light and God is love and He will never fail

In spite of how we are, His mercy is renewed each day

His grace will be sufficient if we let Him lead the way

© Janet Martin