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life{in}grace

live with more presence, passion, & purpose

The faces of love….

by 231 Comments

This is a re-post from September 28.  As love-day nears, he’s on my mind.  And the little ones talked about Jesus clearing the temple this week in Sunday school.  I went searching until I found this and thought you might like it too.

There are so many things to love about this guy. He’s rugged, funny, smart, loves football and fishing and good scotch, can name nearly every tree in nature, reads theology books, can water ski and snow ski like a pro, likes classical music and Pearl Jam, and occasionally loses his temper. He’s edgy like that sometimes…..in a masculine, Jesus-and-the-money-changers sort of a way. He has huge biceps and makes you feel like he’d crush anyone who tried to hurt you…….all the things that make a girl go weak in the knees.
Yesterday, he saw our children and there friends throwing small matchbox cars in the pool. It was right after the Vols got beat so he was already a little ‘frustrated’, let’s say. He yelled…… they cried……I was bewildered. 

Today, as we pulled into the church parking lot, he put his right hand on my shoulder and gave me a gentle love-touch.  He asked the girls if they remembered the pool incident and they, of course, did. He told them that he was wrong to lose his temper and asked if we would forgive him. Elea said, “Yes, daddy, I forgive you.” The exchange was powerful. I can’t think of a better way to teach forgiveness to your children. The historic liturgy of the church is beautiful on this subject, and thank God we say and hear these words every Sunday;

“Lord we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean and have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart and we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of Your son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways……Almighty God in His mercy has given His son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins.”

Now, that is comfort. We fail. We screw up. We lose our tempers, get angry…. and He stands there waiting…..to forgive. It is a powerful force in any relationship, but especially in families. To forgive and be forgiven, what a gift from God! I am thankful for a man who is passionate enough to get angry and man enough to ask for forgiveness. He also just so happens to able to identify nearly every bird flying overhead and he can wind the bobbin on my sewing machine! I’m starting to feel so inadequate!

P.S. I’m listening to this great talk radio about repentance. Join me.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sandy Toes says

    We all lose our temper or get angry…but it is that parent that apologizes that separates them from the “rest”! Thanks for sharing this post!
    -sandy toe

    Reply

  2. Jessica says

    Loved this post back then, thanks for the repost…it’s a great lesson we all need to be reminded of. You and your girls are so blessed to have a great man in your life, you totally deserve him!

    Reply

  3. Molly says

    Loved this post!!! Thanks for the reminder of forgiveness (hope I spelled that right), I tend to forgive but then later down the road i’ll remember what someone did to me and get mad and then ask God to help me through this situation. As you said in the post we are not perfect and sinners by nature and he will be there waiting to guide us back on his path. Thank you for always uplifting me everyday!!!!
    ~Molly P

    Reply

  4. Hi! I'm Kirsten... says

    Steve is definitely the kind of father I wish I’d had. [Pause to wipe a tear.] But given the kind of father I did have, or lack of one; I think it makes me all the more excited for your children and for the blessing you have in being married to Steve!! Good men are seemingly hard to find these days.

    Reply

  5. Meme says

    You have got yourself a great man, for you and your family. Loved the post! I heard you were the Belle of Blissdom!! Nester loves you! I so wish I could have been there, but hey, there is always next year…

    Thank you for your blog, love to read it everyday (when my internet is working) even if I don’t comment!!!

    Reply

  7. carissa... brown eyed fox says

    wow! glad i caught this
    re-post… SO good!

    you have a great man… father… spiritual leader for your family… a blessing for sure!

    and i am SO very thankful we have a Father that is always there with open arms!

    Reply

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