When the Dirt is Thrown in Our Face

The four of them played across the yard beside the barn.  Sticks, dirt, one little girl and three adventurous boys.  You could hear her cries come from the distance as she made her way to the farmhouse.  Brown streaked down her face as mud mixed with salty tears.  One of the boys threw dirt in her face.  Every part of her pretty face covered with it.  Her eyes hurt as the tears washed them clean.  His Mama called him in.  He leaned in and kissed her cheek and she grinned.

When it was time to leave those dusty boys piled in the car to tell her good bye.  And as the little one who threw the dirt came near, she reached her arms around his neck and pulled him close for a hug.  She smiled, he smiled and they giggled.  Forgiveness.  The kind from a child that holds no wrongs, that seeks no justice, that chooses to love beyond the mistake.

To have the strength to forgive after the dirt is thrown in our face.

To reach out our arms and love even when the hurt still stings.  

To give back the same undeserved grace that we are given when we fall.  When we fail. 

To know the ones who care for our hearts, unconditionally, purely and profoundly.  

To keep loving when the loving gets hard.  

To chose forgiveness.  Quickly and completely.

The message rings loud and clear.

“Dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline…Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you.”  Colossians 3:12,13 MSG