Thursday, September 24, 2009

It takes a 3 year old


Last week a good friend asked me if I would be willing to do a garage sale. She is currently in the divorce process, unemployed and living in a mother-in-law quarters at a friend's home.

She has a 3 1/2 year old and a 10 month old. Her husband left her when her baby was 9 days old. He told her it was better off for "everyone" as they haven't gotten along in years. It's been a very ugly divorce, and to say the least, these past 10 months have not put him on my favorite person list. To be honest, there have been times I've just wanted him to "pay" for what he did to my friend and to her children. I couldn't understand how he could treat his wife, who he promised to love and always be there for, that way.

So, Friday as we sat doing the garage sale, I began talking to her sweet little girl. We talked about all kinds of things like favorite colors and preschool and her baby brother. Then we began talking about what Jesus did for us, how he died on the cross and his reasoning? To forgive all our sins. I got excited to say to her, for you, for Lilla, for your brother, for Anna, for your momma...

And then she said, "For my daddy too?"

Talk about taking the wind out of you. Wow, in that moment I knew it was my heart that had been wrong. Because yes, isn't that why Christ came and died in the first place? He died for sinners. I am one of those too, only saved by grace. The blood of Christ is for her daddy too.

I truly hope one day he will accept it and receive all that is offered him too.

4 comments:

Erika Ray said...

That was nice Amy. It is very true that Christ died for sinners. Sometimes it's just hard for us to remember that it means all sinners not just the ones we think deserve it. That is some hardcore Christianity~ loving our enemies. Thanks for the reminder!

gail said...

Right between the eyes. Thank you for sharing this story, Amy. It is a good reminder.

meg said...

Children do tend to keep us humble :-)

Anonymous said...

Wow! The things kids say. What a fantastic reminder!