By: Debra Weiss
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” - Matthew 7:3 (NIV)
“Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” My voice was rising with each word I spoke to my fifteen-year-old sister. “Do you know how bad this makes me look?”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
My younger sister had lost a library book. A library book she’d checked out my library card. My mom had agreed to pay the fee, but that wasn’t the point.
The damage to my responsible reputation at the library would now be ruined. I would be one of the “those” card holders. One of the ones that would forever get the evil eye from the librarians. One of the ones whose books would always be carefully inspected for even a hint of damage.
“I know you’re sorry, but sorry doesn’t fix this.” I said. I was one second from losing it. How could you be so totally irresponsible with something that didn’t even belong to you to start with? I wanted to yell.
As I started mentally counting, I heard a voice ask, “Haven’t you done that before, Debbie?”
“Done what? Lost a library book? I don’t think so, God.”
“Haven’t you done things that reflected poorly on my name?”
I cringed as memory after memory surfaced–yelling at my sisters, the foul word that slipped out when I stubbed my toe, the unkind way I’d spoken to a friend only hours before.
Yet God had been gracious to me. With each mistake, He showed me that His Son had already covered the cost. Instead of condemned, I was free. I dragged God’s name through the mud again and again and again … only to receive mercy … again and again and again.
As I thought about it, I couldn’t help but feel ashamed of my behavior. Turning toward my younger sister, I apologized for my behavior and said, “This isn’t that important. Don’t even worry about it.”
In moments when you’re tempted to carry a grudge over someone else’s wrongdoing, stop and reflect on all the times you’ve sinned against God. Confess your unforgiving attitude and ask God to help you extend grace to those around you.
Dear God, when I am tempted to remind someone else of their sin, addiction, or shortcoming, help me to look at Your Son instead. Help me to remember all the times You’ve been merciful to me when I didn’t deserve Your kindness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Debra Weiss is a freelance writer and speaker passionate about helping teen girls grow closer to God. You can find her online at www.DebraWeiss.net.
Teen girl photo by: David Castillo Dominci