malachi walked across his bedroom yesterday (approximately 10 or 11 feet). bethany was folding his clothes and when she looked up, he was walking toward her. i guess you could say it was a milestone. walking is pretty important.
so we talked last night in our worship gathering about dealing with issues, being right with one another. so many differences, disagreements and divisions. so many hurts and offenses, perceived and real. it's interesting to me to think about the idea that the redeeming factor in any situation before and after an offense or disagreement is the same thing. and both require the same investment, although fleshed out in different forms.
if i were to exhibit selflessness (commonly referred to as it's synonym "love") and curb my insatiable appetite for personal satisfaction before i made my decision, i could do away with the impending discord or at least to the extent of which would be my fault. similarly, in the emotional and social fallout of a self-serving mindset bullishly pushing others' needs and wants to the side, the remedy for broken relationships is the same. i must bridle the tongue now seeking to defend and justify. i must capture the thoughts plotting to sell the sins already committed. i mustn't defend nor dodge it. i must own it; my filth, that is. which brings us back to love. because it's tough to own your crap. that's why when most people fill an elevator with horrible odors, and unintentional bodily sounds, they act like nothing ever happened. such is the price, though, for reconciliation. the price seems to have gone up since love's original offer before the fact. but the fruit is still far more valuable than the cost: restoration and reconnection.
i guess i just wish i took the first offer more frequently. but therein lies the dichotomy of humanity and sovereignty. although God would in His perfect will never wish for me to uproot other's emotions, somehow, it seems, there are lessons unique to the hard road. maybe not. we'll not know, until we're not human. and isn't it growth if we're less and less frequently taking love's second offer and instead living love before the folly? or does it seem that maybe we just more often realize the need for the second offer of love as in maturity we see how human we are. sounds like humility which sounds like maturity. either way, God has decided to transform us into the image of His Son, but not without our co-operation and effort. then again, our co-operation and effort begins with "surrender" and an ever-deepening realization that we are so wretched, needy, dependent on His grace and empowerment. i guess that right there is a foundation of growth.
