There is no two ways about it... I just am.
I had acted badly. I had said mean things. And, I knew it. To make matters worse for me, it hadn't been hidden. My family watched it---they had heard it. My bad behavior was on display for my house to witness.
Simply put, I had behaved very badly. And, there she was face-to-face, confronting me with my words and my attitudes. My girl. My sweet, sweet, growing girl.
Did it matter why I had acted so? What she had done... what had happened... Did it really matter what had lead to that bad behavior--- the place of pain from which I was reacting? Not really. No, not in that moment, it didn't.
She was confronting me with strength and passion, but with gentleness. She was addressing my behavior, my words. She spoke the truth and I knew it. And, in that moment I had a choice. We always have these moments of choice, don't we? Which way will this go? Which way will I take this?...
Justification. Excuses. Defensiveness. Attack...
I didn't want to apologize. I didn't want to say I was sorry. A force to be reckoned with rose up within---my pride--- and I just wanted to be mean again. I wanted to say more mean things and behave badly again.
I didn't really want this, of course. And, I did want this---all at the same time. (Romans 7:19)
Mercy.
That is all I have to say. Have mercy on me, Lord Jesus.
And, He did have mercy. I did choose wisdom in the moment.
I apologized to my sweet girl. And, I did admit to my bad behavior---every last bit of it.
But, even as I ate the humble-pie that was being served, it tasted bitter in my mouth. Oh! the pride within!
Yet...
I will say--- it is a meal that sits well after it goes down. Hard to swallow---yes--, it settles well and nourishes the soul. Unlike a meal of meanness, anger, unforgiveness and rage... humility and mercy sit in my gut much better afterward. This humble-pie fed me well tonight.
When the emotions had calmed and the forgiveness was given---and time moved me forward, I was so glad mercy won and I ate the humility dished out to me.
But, sakes alive!, am I prideful!
