Laced With Grace

Last Monday I was on the road. I traveled to an event roughly four hours distance from my home. Off of the Interstate, I pulled into a truck stop for some lunch and for some fun. I love truck stops. Watching people come and go at a place like this is top-notch entertainment.

The burly road warriors who move commerce across America are amazing men. They travel on congested highways dodging ditsy blonds who cut them off in traffic. (Hmmm, I might resemble that remark) Just kidding. I never mess around with an 18-wheeler. No way!

The restaurant was not overly crowded on this particular day. There were just a few Knights of the Road sprinkled around the tables with their lunch. I placed my order, took it to a table, then sat down.

You might wonder if this five foot four, blond was a tad nervous being the only woman in the joint. Nope! Jesus, of course, was with me. The Holy Spirit sat across the table and there were at least 10 dozen angels milling about the place – security detail.

I sat munching and watching. Kitty-corner to my table was a beefy man who appeared finished with his meal when I sat down. He had a kind look about him. He lounged in the booth satisfied just to be sitting there and not behind the wheel.

I finished my sandwich; crumpled the paper, used my napkin, then stood up. The trucker stood up at the same time and started walking toward me. I watched. He approached with a sheepish grin and said, “I will pick up your trash for you.” He did and walked the tray to the garbage and dumped it.

“Chivalry IS NOT DEAD” my heart sang!

I grinned from ear to ear at the kindness of this sizeable trucker. I touched his arm with a pat and said, “Wow, thank you very much.” He grinned, I beamed back, and we parted ways.

In this day and age our men hesitate to be chivalrous. I guess they must be so careful not to offend that they just stop trying. I understand why.

When I am blessed to receive kindness from a gallant man today, I am certain to thank him showing my appreciation and respect. I make an overt effort to thank my husband when he opens my door or carries in the groceries.

The LORD created our men to be heroes. They want to protect, to provide, to shelter, and to cherish their woman. Our Lord is so wise!

Lord, I thank you for men of courage. Men who defend our country. Men who traverse the roadways of commerce. Men who stand up for widows and orphans. Men who navigate the tricky world of business to slay the dragon for us their women. Lord, teach us to love and respect them for who they are and to see them as You do. In Jesus name, Amen.

Lift your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one,
and calls them each by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
not one of them is missing. (Isa 40:25-26; NIV)

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13 NIV

Last year on my personal blog, I wrote a post about a pit I found myself in.  It was the pit of unforgiveness.  It happened when a neighbor/Christian girlfriend and I had a falling out over a Living Proof Live (Beth Moore) event that we were supposed to travel to.  Following this falling out, neither one of us spoke to the other again.It was really sad, here we were, the only 2 Christians on our entire block and we wouldn’t speak to each other.  Not even a “hi” or wave when outside.  The falling out was not entirely my fault.  However, I knew I played a role in keeping it going.  I knew the buttons to push and I intentionally pushed them.  I knew that even if I was absolutely blameless, I still needed to seek forgiveness and bury the grudge. 

Throughout the past few months, I was reminded that I needed to seek her forgiveness.  Every time it was communion and the pastor would say, “if you have a trespass against your brother, get up and go ask his forgiveness before taking communion.”  I would look around the room, nope she wasn’t there.  I would breathe a sigh of relief.  Plenty of times I drafted an apology in my head to write in an email but I never got up the courage to do it.  Apologizing through an email would be the easy way out and I didn’t even do that.

This past Sunday, I was cooking dinner – an attempt to make Chicken Marsala.  I was sautéing fresh veggies in marsala wine in one skillet and sautéing shrimp in butter and garlic in another.  The kids were busy with dad playing Lego Star Wars on the playstation and the doorbell rang.  I assumed it was the little boy down the street coming back to get in on the Star Wars game.  Surprisingly, my children who fight to see who will open the door, were so engrossed in their game they didn’t hear it ring.  I walked to the front door and guess who was standing there.  Yes, my neighbor.  My heart sank as she quietly said, “Can we talk?” I invited her in (to the kitchen as I had to keep stirring my food).  She began, “I’m here to apologize.”  She explained her situation.  She explained her hurt.  She said it was cowardness that kept her from apologizing sooner.  It was pride that kept me from apologizing sooner.  We hugged, we cried – we made a playdate.  I know I have to forgive her.  I know I had to show her grace. After she left, I was reminded of my direct disobedience by not apologizing myself.  I knew God had called me, through teaching in His word, to apologize.  And I simply refused.  I owed God a great big I am so sorry.  I am so sorry that I chose to be disobedient.  She didn’t take the simple way out either.  No email.  She took the time to come to my home not knowing how she would be received and ask for forgiveness.