Morning Devotionals

by Don Emmitte

 

March 17h, 2008

 

"Grab - Guilt - Grief - Gulp"

O Lord, what is man that you care for him, the son of man that you think of him? Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow. (Psalm 144:2-6, NIV).

With bouncing hair and dancing eyes, a three-year-old girl helped her mother clean the house.  Her soft, round fists grasped the pretend vacuum as she scooted it across the carpet in the nearby hall.  She brushed the polished, marble floor with her little broom.  Easily, she earned the title, “Mommy’s Little Helper.”  It could have been a TV commercial for a toy vacuum and broom set! Then the little girl eyed a nearby plant.  She decided to prove how strong she could be.  Her short legs blurred with motion as she ran to the plant to pick it up. “Wait!  Don’t move the plant, honey."  The mother bent down to pick up a dustpan.  Now at eye level with her little cherub, she smiled. Her mommy didn’t know how strong she was!  She could lift that plant up!  Wrapping her tiny hands around the big stem, she grabbed the plant and hoisted it high above her shoulders. “No!  Don’t do that!”  Her stunned parent panicked as her little angel morphed into a rebel – a rebel with a cause! The little girl’s mouth pursed.  Her eyes squinted and darted to the plant in her hands. Something snapped: the toddler’s anger.  She lifted it higher. Then, with a climax of defiance, she dropped the plant on the floor.  Dirt swept across the recently swept floor. 

When the toddler realized what she had done, guilt set in.  She dreaded punishment.  Noticing the sadness in her mama’s eyes, she felt sorry for what she had done.  Then, realizing that she could do nothing to change the situation on her own, she gulped. 

Punishment ensued.  But the mom’s overwhelming love won over: the mother and child reconciled.

We all make mistakes like the child.  We all sin. I call it the Grab – Guilt – Grief – Gulp of life!  We often grab, feel guilt, grieve, and gulp when we make mistakes and face the consequences. Sin always looks good; however it never shows the complete picture.  It attracts our eyes; it distracts our hearts. Appearances mask the future consequences.

Sin always possesses a hook and bait: it makes you want to grab the bait.  But, without Christ, you never get off the hook!  So when something seems especially alluring, distracting, and has odd timing, think twice! 

If you make that wrong choice; if you grab don’t fall into the rest of the trap. Let me give you four other words that begin with “g” to replace grab, guilt, grief, and gulp:  God’s grace is granted to us by the Gospel.  That means that He is willing to forgive us when we give our hearts to Jesus. God is far stronger than any atomic force, infinitely more creative than our imaginations, and completely beyond the grasp of time!  He knows everything about everyone everywhere!  His capacities are measureless!  Our holy God never makes mistakes.  He never tires.  He is never moody.  Nothing compares to Him!  That’s the message of Easter! And, it’s permanent.  Once we’re forgiven, we’re forgiven forever! You will never fall out of God’s family. You will always be His child. Think of Easter as a celebration of adoption into God’s family.  Celebrate God’s forgiveness!