It was a rough day. It had been one of those mornings where I was tired and stretched thin and the kids were wild. Before I ever made it to work, the day had been hijacked by car troubles.
You get what I’m saying, right? Stressed, exhausted, aggravated and pushed beyond your limit. Sometimes you want a do-over on the entire day and other times you really just want to call it quits, go home and hide under a blanket until Jesus returns. This was that day, that situation, that moment. And I was weary and worn.
Near the end of class, I was shoved back into the view of God’s grace when a little note was handed to me by one of the sweetest kids in the county. As I read, all the frustrations from earlier melted away.
Jesus says that unless we change and be more like children, we’ll never enter the Kingdom of God. Maybe that’s because kids don’t see all the troubles. They aren’t bothered by bills, politics, deadlines or the news. They live well. They love to love and want everyone treated fairly.
I stuck that note in my desk so when those difficult days come again (and they will) I can be reminded that even though I sometimes feel like a complete mess, God is still here, in control and has surrounded me with people who care.
Paul echoes the same sentiments of that sweet kid in a note of his own in Colossians 3:2. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Before you glance over that too quickly, remember that those people had problems, too. They were overworked, exhausted, aggravated and dealing with their own set of drama. They had issues with their family, work, government and friends. Paul knew they needed reminding of who they were and why they were here. He was certain that you can’t love your neighbor if you’re unsure of how loved you are. We all need that message and sometimes God uses a 2nd grader to deliver the sermon.
There will always be another trial. Another heartache. Another aggravation. Another deadline we’ll barely be able to meet. Another bill we’ll hardly be able to pay. Another something that wants our attention but instead of staring at the trials, see the truth. Open your Bible and meditate on who you are in Colossians and then flip over to I Peter 2:9 and let those words reinforce the others.
The God of Heaven and Earth never promised to fix our problems but he did promise to change our lives. As his chosen, holy & dearly loved children we are called to usher compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience into broken places.
Find a group of other chosen, holy and dearly loved folks and plug in to them and then get out in your community and start showing the world what Jesus looks like. It won’t be easy but it will always be worth it.
And when life knocks you down, hear and believe God when he says, “You are kind, awesome, great and amazing. I love you.” 