My oldest child was born in Branson, Missouri. Keith and I had daytime employment, but we also worked nights at Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Theater. We met people from all over the world and became family to our fellow cast members. Life was good. As Leah began to toddle around, some fun loving teenage boys decided to teach her how to ‘talk.’ She was a quick student and soon had a wide vocabulary of questionable words. I fussed and fumed, but everyone else giggled and laughed, so you know who influenced her linguistic habits.
We eventually returned to our hometown and resumed attending the church Keith and I grew up in. I loved church so much as a child and couldn’t wait to share the experience with my daughter. However, Leah hated anything that ‘touched her funny’ including, hair brushes, shoes, socks, soap…… Her wardrobe preference was cotton shorts and shirts. Getting ready for church was a misery. One Sunday evening I insisted on an appropriate ensemble. She was insulted and angry. The greatest offense was the slip I made her wear under her dress. All the way to town she expressed her displeasure as best a five year old could. She had been punished to the ends of the earth for her dirty language so she kept it clean. Until………….
She and I stepped into the bathroom in the church fellowship area. She went into a stall and I opened the hallway door to exit, but instead, waited. Thinking I was gone, she proceeded to give me a fiery dressing down. I stopped her colorful stream of ire and she began crying, asking me if I was going to tell her daddy. I took her to her Bible class, informing her we would continue the issue when we got home. I knew her habit must change and she knew the cost of her continued rebellion was getting more expensive. We parted with heavy hearts.
After church Leah inquired again about her dad’s knowledge of her behavior.
I replied, “The biggest issue is that your Heavenly Father heard you. You disrespected His House and His name and far worse than daddy knowing is God knowing. It’s a sin and God wants you to do better”
Leah continued, “Have you told my daddy?”
Me, “Right now I want you to think about God’s broken heart. He’s what matters most!”
Leah, very impatiently and with great sincerity, “MOM!! I’ve already talked to God about this. He’s okay! Now are you going to tell my daddy!?”
On that day I learned, when God’s Got It, I’m done.
Leah’s childish heart found forgiveness and she learned kinder adjectives and adverbs. Even when she is reminded her first words all had four letters, we celebrate she is no longer five and she and I both have come so far because of God’s grace.
Sometimes people insist on holding others in arrested development. God may forgive and forget, but their memory is much more determined, so they lead us all in reminders and stagnated, negative emotions, preventing growth and joy.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come. II Corinthians 5:17
Do not clothe a new creature in your issues and bitternesses of the past. God let it go, so should you!!!!
Love,
Gretchen
P.S. One of those precious young men that took part in Leah’s first vocabulary lessons has grown into a wonderful man with children of his own. A little over a week ago he had a massive stroke and today is clinging to life. Please join our family and friends in prayer for Michael Coffelt Jr. We aren’t ready to let him go.
