The Stinky Weed

2 Timothy 1:8-10
So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. (Letter written to Timothy from Apostle Paul)

As Tim and I walked the dogs near a meadow, I noticed pretty purple blooms. I grabbed my camera and clicked. As I focused the lens, I realized I was snapping pictures of ironweed. Yes -- a weed, not a flower. God creates beauty in unexpected places.

The Apostle Paul's life, before he met Jesus, was ugly. He killed Christians. But when he traveled on the road to Damascus and fell before God and declared Jesus as his Savior, he lost his ugliness. Through grace and forgiveness, love and faith God transformed Paul into a beautiful weed. No one expected Paul to have a change of heart. He'd been persecuting Christians for a long time. Yet God's love changed him. 

God's grace can change any sinful, stinky weed of a human into a beautiful bloom. While sin resembles the stinging nettle weed; crowding out good plants, irritating, burning, annoying, and harmful. Grace is more like chicory, the pretty blue weed that blooms along the roadside and brings joy. God can change any heart if the person is willing. Praise God for his grace and forgiveness.

Forgiveness--not always easy

Colossians 3:12-13
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

My husband, Tim, and I were meeting at McDonalds to get a bite to eat before we attended the Christmas eve-eve service at church. I arrived at the restaurant before him. As I waited, sirens screamed along the road. A sick feeling hit me. Within fifteen minutes my phone chimed. Tim told me he’d been in an accident. He was okay but they were taking him to the hospital to make sure. What I found out after that made me mad.

The man who hit Tim wasn’t paying attention. He simply did not slow down when he should have. I don’t know what distracted him. At that point I didn’t care; I just knew he hurt my husband, who I love. My anger grew for several days. Even though I praised God that Tim was not seriously injured and was still with me, I raged inside. I was able to thank God but I was not making progress in the forgiveness department. I knew I needed to forgive the man, but my anger kept rising. Through Christmas, I tamped it down while I celebrated with family. When the New Year rolled around, I knew in my heart it was time to let go and forgive. Even at that I struggled, until one Sunday during communion I thought about how much God had forgiven me. At that point I let go and prayed. I forgave the man, and God forgave me once again, for holding on to my anger. I praise God every day that Tim walked away from what could have been his last drive, and I thank God for forgiveness.