Stumbling and Rising

Nobody said that the way out of the valley would be easy. Recently, I stubbed my toe trying to climb out of the valley. Sometimes I try to climb too far too fast. I stop listening and start demanding. At such times I am tempted to try to sink into self-pity or self-justification.

Today I remembered Josiah Bancroft's question, "Would you rather be right or forgiven?" The default setting of my heart is to demand to be "right". But when the Spirit hits the reset button I stop defending myself and try to reconcile with those I have knocked down on the climb. Then the gospel gives me grace and hope to resume the climb.

Clearly, I still have quite a way to go. But when I fall down HE picks me up.