Grace for the Messes

Happy Tuesday  to our CFC Family!

I hope you had a great Victoria Day long weekend! I spent part of mine doing some yard work — the usual tasks like weeding Lenise’s flower beds, tilling the garden, and reseeding patches of lawn that our dogs damaged over the winter.

That last chore has become something of an '“annual tradition,” and one I can’t say I look forward to. I’ve taken steps to keep the grass healthy, including putting up temporary fencing to keep the dogs out of the backyard, and although it definitely helped reduce the number of dead spots, but it’s not “fool proof.” Dogs need space to run, play, and fetch, and that’s what backyards are for: to be enjoyed. So as the saying goes, “it is what it is.”

Some people ask me, “Why even have dogs if they cause that much damage?” Well, for one, Duke, the Golden Retriever, is technically our daughter’s dog, and she’ll take him with her when she moves out, but more importantly, I just love our pets. Their unconditional love, loyalty, and the joy they bring to our home truly complete our family. Truth is, in my opinion, a bit of dog hair and lawn damage is a small price to pay for that kind of love.

It’s amazing what we will do for love. We put up with a lot for the people (and animals) we care about. We forgive, we overlook the messes, and we clean up the same spots time and time again. And as I was reseeding those dead patches once more this weekend, it occurred to me: this isn’t much different from how God deals with us his children.

For those who have committed their lives to Jesus, we experience on a regular basis how continually Jesus comes back time and time again to fix what we’ve broken in our lives. He helps fix our messes; our mistakes, our disobedience and our selfishness, not because we deserve it, but because He loves us. And just like we forgive our kids and grandkids when they track mud through the house or spill something on the carpet, God also forgives us when we fall short. In fact, He does far more than that. He restores, He redeems, and He renews us.

Truth is,  when you take the time to reflect on this reality, it’s humbling to take in. If I’m willing to overlook dead grass and ruined flower beds for the sake of a dog, how much more would I do for my children? There isn’t a good parent alive who wouldn’t go to great lengths for their child — sacrificing time, money, comfort, and even personal dreams. And yet, Jesus makes a powerful point in Luke 11:13, saying,

“If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

If we, as flawed human beings, are eager to give good gifts to our kids; to provide, to protect, and to nurture, how much more will our perfect Heavenly Father do for us? How much more will He be there to comfort, correct, strengthen, and guide His children? Because the truth is, God isn't distant or indifferent. He is a loving Father who responds to those who call on Him. Offering not just solutions to our problems, but the very presence and power of the Holy Spirit to walk with us through them.

That’s the beauty of God’s grace. He doesn't just love us when we’re tidy and obedient and doing everything right. He loves us in our mess — in our “muddy, trampled lawns,” in our spiritual ruts and our stubborn mistakes. And He keeps coming back, again and again, not because He has to, but because He wants to. Because love does that.

So yes, I’ll keep planting grass seed and chasing the dogs away from freshly tilled soil — because every time I look into those big brown eyes, I can’t help but love them. And in those small, repeated acts of care, I’m reminded of an even greater love — a perfect love that never gives up on me. A love that, in fact, went all the way to the cross to make this relationship with God even possible.

            Have a blessed week and we’ll see you next Sunday!

Christian Fellowship Church

417 Hanover Street

Steinbach, MB R5G 0G0

Church Office: 204-326-2228

http://christianfellowshipchurch.ca

daniel.krebs@steinbachcfc.org

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