A couple of days ago an unexpected knock at the door caused the “old me” to momentarily sneak in. It was animal control. Evidentially the neighbors aren’t very happy with our barking dog. Immediately, I was defensive and was quick to make it know that there are several barking dogs in the area. I assured them that are dog is inside most of the time. The complaint was marked as no violation.
Throughout out the day I was annoyed. Why didn’t they attempt
to talk to me before calling the authorities? I’m a stay at home mom, easy to reach. We never leave the dog outside if we aren’t home. All they had to do was ask. Later in the day I noticed excess water flowing down the alley from their home. It took everything in me not to call the city and report this water restriction violation. I also made a mental note to call animal control the next time their dog barks and interrupts our homeschool day.
I eventually realized that none of that would fix the problem and decided to just let it go. So I was able to quit placing blame, but once again I found myself avoiding the issue at hand and refusing to take ownership of the problem. Matthew 5:23-24, “ If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” It says if they have something against me, not if I have something against them. I finally realized that I was handling this like the “old me.” Where was the grace that has changed my life? “Is there evidence that I've been changed? When they see me, do they see You?” That’s truly how I want to live my life. Typically, I see the needs for amends fairly quickly but this one took me a couple of days.
I ended up getting a card with this verse:
“In moments like these, it’s difficult to know what to say. I hope you will accept my sincere apology for any nuisance our dog may have caused. In the future, I invite you let us know ways we can be more neighborly.” I included a Starbucks gift card worth "puppy treats for a month." I was able to apologize in person, but found it difficult not to get defensive. Rather than argue the facts, I apologized and handed them the card.
I'm able to walk away from this, knowing I did my part. I’m beginning to realize that everything comes down to grace & love, and without love my words and life are meaningless. I want to lay it all down and live my life in a way that’s no longer about me, but about what He’s doing through me. “I want to live like that.”
Live Like That (Sidewalk Prophets)
Sometimes I think
What will people say of me
When I'm only just a memory
When I'm home where my soul belongs
Was I love
When no one else would show up
Was I Jesus to the least of those
Was my worship more than just a song
I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You
If love is who I am
Then this is where I'll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back
I want to live like that
I want to live like that
Am I proof
That You are who you say You are
That grace can really change a heart
Do I live like Your love is true
People pass
And even if they don't know my name
Is there evidence that I've been changed
When they see me, do they see You
I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You
If love is who I am
Then this is where I'll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back
I want to live like that
I want to live like that
I want to show the world the love You gave for me
I'm longing for the world to know the glory of the King
I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You
If love is who I am
Then this is where I'll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back
I want to live like that
I want to live like that
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