Flying Bibles

Sunday I was hustling from the sanctuary of our church to an older building across the street for a men’s Bible study. A handful of friends, the kind of people one would expect to see in a pool hall rather than a place of worship Sunday morning, were waiting for me. My people.

The Pastor of our Church, Tom Nelson, saw me hurrying and mentioned on the fly that he would be quoting me in that morning’s message. Boy, my head started to swell almost immediately, pride, it was there. I can’t deny it.

But, our God has a sense of humor, trust me.

I took about ten steps, strutting probably, caught the tip of my toe on the curb ... and in slow motion ... tripped.

The stack of bibles I was carrying jumped out of my hands, flapping in the wind like a flock of birds taking off into the air. In the meantime, I continued earthward until the side of my face bounced of the sidewalk, twice.

Proverbs 3:12 says that the LORD disciplines those He loves. I was feeling God’s love in full measure as I lay stretched out on the sidewalk.

It was not hard to laugh off what had just happened as I picked myself up. I have had a lot of opportunity to do foolish things over the years. But, the God who loves me always gives me a second chance. Even when, maybe especially when, the things I did, the people I hurt, and how I hurt them, was not so funny.

If there is something for which you need forgiveness, ask Him. He will forgive you. That is not my promise, that is His promise. Our God is dynamic, He has a sense of humor, but above all else He is a God of mercy and love. He loves you.

... Father, thank you for being our God, thank you for the people in our lives, and thank you for loving us. Father, humble us when we need to be humbled, and always bring us back to your mercy and grace. In Jesus name we pray ...