Does this one hurt you as much as it does me?
I am filled TO. THE. BRIM. I’m overwhelmed. Overscheduled. Overtired. I have three kids who bump into me all day long. What is pouring out?
I remember Lysa Terkeurst talking about what happens when people bump into your happy. Like, you are walking along and everything is really great. Then, something happens that messes it up. It could be big or small. What is going to come out of you?
I know people who spew acid on EVERYONE around them when something happens. It doesn’t matter how big or small. And, don’t you dare try to share your heart with them because things will always be worse in their life than yours. You can smell how toxic they are– even if they aren’t currently angry and unhappy. These people are exhausting, and quite honestly I try to avoid them. A toxic attitude is so contagious.
I want to be full of grace. When it comes to my family, I want grace to spill over. I want them to know that it’s ok to make mistakes. I want them to know that I will always love them and they can come to me with anything. But, if I have acid pouring over, they are going to be afraid of mistakes. They won’t come to me when someone has hurt them. They will hide things from me.
“…for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Matthew 12:34
What is your heart full of?
This is convicting. My temper is something that I have worked really hard on controlling. I have been much better about pouring grace over my children and my husband– because I remind myself often of the grace that God has shown to me. I am so undeserving of His grace and kindness. Yet, He continually shows it to me. Over and over again he loves me in spite of me. The best way we can share Christ with others is to fill ourselves with His love and His word.
So, ask yourself this question. “What do people feel: acid or grace?”