As we volunteered to pray with people after church one Sunday, we met a woman seeking healing for her painful hip. She was an interesting character; a bit louder than was okay in the small room with other praying people, a bit – dare I say it – cantankerous in her manner, and sadly very bitter and stubborn about her state in life. As she told us her story, she wandered a bit and changed the facts a couple of times, one fact changed being her age, at one point 72, then later 78 and another being her doctors’ advice and what she thought of it. We wondered if she was perhaps a bit unstable mentally, but it was not at all to that point of getting lost confusion. She was lonely and hurting, unable, I think, to see that there were some things that could be helped if she chose. It hit me hard, after having prayed with her and helped her to her car, how we all act badly sometimes and make choices that perhaps aren’t the best. I think we probably all look and sound like this woman to our loving-beyond-belief Lord of grace. I have been a bit too loud in my defense of my actions. I have been hurt and bitter and stubborn at times. I have changed my story and I have chosen paths that weren’t the best for me and my loved ones. But I am forgiven. I am loved without judgement because of Jesus’ death on the cross. I am blessed and thankful.
