He came and found them
sleeping; and he said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one
hour?"
As I was reading this, many images and stories came to mind. Stories
ranging from repeatedly forgetting to do the chores at home (much to the disappointment of
my parents), to the more extreme examples of neglect that appear on the covers of
magazines and newspapers with increasing frequency. However, I think that while we must
recognize the fact that we are inadequate in the sight of the Lord, I think we must also
focus on the fact that he forgives us anyway. The best example that I could think of in
our lives has to do with a pretty common experience.
When I was seven, we got the cutest little fur ball on four legs, a
beautiful golden retriever named Chelsea. In general, this dog is about as spoiled as they
come; she sleeps on my parents’ bed or the nearest couch or recliner, she spends all
winter and summer on the heating/air conditioning vents, and every morning she gets a
treat merely for existing and being so cute. However, she wasn’t always such a part
of the family and so spoiled.
The very first night we got Chelsea, like most puppies newly separated
from her mama and brothers and sisters, she cried from the time we got her home, clear
through the night. I am not sure, though, who the night was worse for; her, separated from
her family, or me, convinced that she was never going to love us or forgive us for
treating her so wretchedly her very first night, or my parents who had to deal with a
seven year-old coming in throughout the night asking if they were sure I couldn’t go
into the kitchen and sleep with her or at least pet her.
The next morning, though, I was amazed that she still ran to see us as
soon as we got up – she didn’t care that we had deserted her the night before
– she still loved us and needed us to love her. At this point I am sure the moral of
the story is clear, regardless of the neglectful things that we do, whether we ever manage
to change our behavior or not, God is like that little tiny puppy, with enough love to
forgive our inadequacy.
Prayer: Lord, give us the strength to do all that you ask of us, and
forgive us when we are weak and unable. Lord, also remind us to have the same kind of
unconditional forgiveness that you show us daily. Amen.
