Just a day after I posted about the importance of keeping our minds pure and reflecting the Lord, I had an epic fail this morning. Okay, it wasn’t epic, but I wasn’t giving grace. I woke up late… there was no coffee ready… and then I began to notice all the things that weren’t right… and then I stewed over them for half an hour or so.

I was kind of on a roll in my mind and that train didn’t seem to be slowing down. Unfortunately, my husband woke up before I left. One of his first words were in the form of an apology for not doing one of the things I was stewing about. Did I accept it, tell him good morning and move on? Oh, I wished I had done so.

I was running late, cranky, and under-caffeinated. I was a perfect target for the enemy. My mind wasn’t on “things which are above where Christ is” (Col 3:1)… and I succumbed. As I sit here and write this, I realize that I did not “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Cor. 10:5). And when I needed it most–I failed to begin my day in prayer and in God’s Word.

So here I was running on my own under-caffeinated power and I failed miserably to offer grace. On my drive to work the Holy Spirit reminded me of a passage I meditated on yesterday: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” (Col. 3:12-15)

I need grace every hour, and I am to happily give that same grace. I did have the good sense to later apologize recognizing how little the things I was irritated at mattered. I sit here now thankful to the Lord for quickly showing me my sin, and a loving husband who extended more grace to me than I deserved. But then again, that’s what grace is! And I am reminded that even on days I am running late, I MUST take the time to go to the Lord in prayer because our enemy is seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Thank you for the reminder, Lord!