Connection

I had a chance to read this from the Upper Room Devotional Website: www.upperroom.org

I'd been pretty smug throughout the Bible study. The study dealt with patterns of destructive behavior that continue in families from generation to generation. Most of the lessons centered on the sins of abuse and prejudice. By God's grace, I have been spared those difficulties.

Months later, however, the Holy Spirit revealed a sin that I was guilty of passing down to my children. As I listened to a heated discussion between my daughters, I realized with a heavy heart that their sharp words were behavior they had learned from me. I had always prided myself on speaking the truth, but all too often, my words were not seasoned with grace. I began to pray for lips "anointed with grace."

Breaking lifelong patterns of behavior doesn't happen overnight. I've practiced speaking kind words, and God has poured more grace onto my lips. As a result, I have had new opportunities to witness. Looking back, I saw this harmful behavior for what it was.

God is bigger than our sin, and destructive patterns of behavior do not have to continue forever. Whatever cycles of sin we have perpetuated, we can also break. We can change. Help is only a prayer away.

Your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever.
-Psalm 45:2 (NIV)

Have a great weekend!
CH