“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” Romans 3:23
I read of a small boy who had been consistently late for dinner. One particular day his parents had warned him to be on time, but he arrived later than ever. He found his parents already seated at the table, about to start eating. Quickly he sat at his place, and then noticed what was set before him--a slice of bread and a glass of water. There was silence as he sat staring at his plate, crushed.
Sometimes we make mistakes. Sometimes we repeat the same mistakes. Again and again and yet again. Our plate sits in front of us... and we feel far more than hunger pains….regret. sorrow. guilt. shame. sadness. We hurt.
We stare at disappointment and realize that we caused it... We sinned... we did the wrong thing. Will we hurt forever? Will they ever forgive? Will God ever see us the same way? Am I broken? Unloved? If only we had one more chance...one last conversation...one opportunity to wind the clock back and make things right.
This young boy’s story wasn’t over...
Suddenly he saw his father’s hand reach over, pick up his plate and set it before himself. Then his dad put his own full plate in front of his son, smiling warmly as he made the exchange. When the boy became a man, he said, "All my life I’ve known what God was like by what my father did that night.
What is God like?
Sacrificial and unconditionally loving.
Full of grace...not condemning judgment
Full of hope...not unending despair
Full of forgiveness...not relentless blame
God reaches across the table and replaces what we deserve with what we haven’t earned. As Christ-followers, when we ask for forgiveness, He takes our bread and water... our sin... our punishment... our condemnation... our mistakes... and allows us yet another chance.
Grace from a loving Father.
Love from a graceful God.
Feeling discouraged by past failure? Afraid to show your face around God’s table?
Don’t be.
There will always be a chair waiting... plenty of food... and a warm embrace from the One who knew that you would sin and created you anyway.
