Image © nexus6 @flickr.com
Remember it’s not about the falling down.
It’s about what we do when we’re done bouncing on the concrete.
It’s about apologizing and moving forward when we lose patience with our children.
It’s about finding joy when the days have been dark.
It’s about giving thanks for the difficult experiences that grow us.
It’s about lavishing love on our families when our tank has been emptied.
It’s about sharing when it feels our wallets have shrunk to nothing.
It’s about forgiving when your well of grace is dry.
Especially about forgiving.
Remember these words of wisdom from Corrie ten Boom, who, after surviving the horrendous Ravensbruck German concentration camp, went to Germany to share the story of God’s grace, only to come face to face with one of her evil prison guards. She is quoted here by Debbie Macomber in One Simple Act:
But forgiveness is not an emotion-I knew that too. Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart. “Jesus, help me!” I prayed silently. I can lift my hand. I can do that much. You supply the feeling.”
Remember that you are not alone, that just as you can do so much with Him, He will do much through you. Just lift your hand.
My honesty disclaimer: I did write my own “two cents” within the five minutes. The quote, however, took further time to track down and include.
Every Friday I join Lisa-Jo over at The Gypsy Mama for her Five Minute Friday prompts. It’s an opportunity for each of us to stop, drop, and write.
We write bold and beautiful and free. Unscripted and unedited. We just write without worrying if it’s just right or not.
Won’t you join us? Follow the link above to read and be encouraged by what others have to share. We’d love to hear from you as well, so feel free to leave a comment today. Thanks for coming by!
Linked today with No Ordinary Blog Hop too
still have the image of bouncing off the concrete in my head. . . . and i realize that you’ve described it perfectly!!! so right. we are guaranteed the trials and hardships. it’s all about what we do with them and Who we allow to use them to refine us.
great read, today!
steph
Thanks for stopping by-you always are making me think or laugh or cry,or all three together. I didn’t really have an image of bouncing off the concrete until I read what you wrote, and you made me laugh. Yes, indeed, it is about being sharpened and about having the sharp edges softened.
Love the ‘bouncing off the concrete’ description! And what a powerful quote! That’s one I’ll definitely have to remember. Thanks for sharing!
Glad you enjoyed that Emily. The whole book by Debbie Macomber is a wonderful read, and the chapter on forgiveness is great. I highly recommend it.
Thanks for stopping by!
Something to remember. Thank you for sharing this. I have spent too long with an empty tank and need to remember that only He can fill it if I am willing.
I have left you an award at my blog.
Thank you so much for coming by, and for the award. I am so blessed by you and all the sweet ladies who I have come to know through blogging.
Thanks for the reminder to remember those things. It is indeed about finding joy even during dark days.