Imagine a parent dealing with a teenager who just broke a house rule. Maybe they came home way past curfew or were caught lying about something. The parent is understandably angry. But this calls on the parent to respond without harsh punishment or rage. That doesn’t mean no discipline. We will never have the abounding mercy of God, but we should try.
I fail often. I say things I should regret, and I seem to do it too many times. While God should slam the door shut on me, He doesn’t. He corrects, but with mercy. He gives me free will to do it, but He continues to work with me.
It’s kind of like a garden. I’m a plant in the garden. God tends it. He sees me, the plant that hasn’t fully bloomed while those around me have. Instead of pulling me like a weed, He waters me with nourishment. He continues to tend to me. That would be Him cultivating me.
Some will say I’m not saved by words above. My faith secures it for me. I may lose rewards, but not salvation. Someday, I will meet the ideals of the Psalm, not to the extent of God, but better than I am now.
But here’s something worth holding onto: awareness is not weakness, it’s the beginning of transformation. The fact that you know I’m failing means my conscience is alive, my spirit is still striving, and grace is still working.
My prayer:
Lord, thank You for Your mercy that never runs dry. Thank You for being patient with me when I fall short. Help me to reflect Your grace in how I treat others. Cultivate my heart like a garden, pull the weeds, water the roots, and grow me into who You’ve called me to be. I trust in Your love, even when I don’t deserve it. Amen.