As the years roll by and I get older, I realize more and more the gift of grace that we can give one another. Last week I had a friend over and she needed to bring her dog because he is still a puppy. Well, he really likes to bark when no one is around and since the moms and kids were both inside, he barked and barked. This prompted a phone call from an older neighbor lady requesting that we stop the barking (which we quickly did). Anyways, although I understood that barking can be bothersome, I thought it was little much to get a call when that afternoon was the only time a dog has ever barked at our house in years. So, the kids got in on the conversation a bit and there was talk about how the neighbor must be a bit cranky and so such.
When Dave got home he went down to talk with her and although she didn't answer her door, he found out from her neighbor that the lady's husband had died earlier in the year. So, we made some snacks today and were going to bring some down to spend a bit of time with her. But, we thought it best to call since she doesn't always answer the door. Anyways, when she answered the phone she apologized profusely for her call and said that she felt bad about doing it, but she had been trying to nap (which, of course, barking doesn't go well with). She was just as sweet and nice as could be. And it, once again, reminded me that I shouldn't be quick to judge, but think the best and give as much grace as can be had to others. We really don't know people's situations or what they are going through. Our critical views are frequently unfounded and responding with grace and love is a means of blessing. It really is a gift...one that costs us nothing and reflects Christ's much greater gift to us. 1 Cor 3:7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
some more Sauer Mtn picsWhen Dave got home he went down to talk with her and although she didn't answer her door, he found out from her neighbor that the lady's husband had died earlier in the year. So, we made some snacks today and were going to bring some down to spend a bit of time with her. But, we thought it best to call since she doesn't always answer the door. Anyways, when she answered the phone she apologized profusely for her call and said that she felt bad about doing it, but she had been trying to nap (which, of course, barking doesn't go well with). She was just as sweet and nice as could be. And it, once again, reminded me that I shouldn't be quick to judge, but think the best and give as much grace as can be had to others. We really don't know people's situations or what they are going through. Our critical views are frequently unfounded and responding with grace and love is a means of blessing. It really is a gift...one that costs us nothing and reflects Christ's much greater gift to us. 1 Cor 3:7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
My dad's first Washington snake encounter :)
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