Light Affliction

John 13:3-9

“Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God…. He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.  After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.”

It is from this text that I’d like to share with you a short story entitled, Light Affliction.

“I just wanted you to know I love you.”

These were the last words she texted to her mom. She texted these words the night before their court date. Her mom was taking her to court for custody of her son. The days leading up to this she felt like she hated her. And the hatred bore down on her heavier than the earth. How does one get away with murder? Simple. Kill them with kindness. And that is what she set out to do. She chose to let her love outshine her hate. She thought, “maybe if I said I love her” enough the hate would go away.

Her "I love you" stayed in her mother’s text inbox, her mother politely got on the stand the very next day in court and regaled the judge with exaggerated stories of how crazy she was, how abusive she was, how awful of a mother she was. As the bile rose in her throat, she told herself "love her". When her mother admitted that she made a side deal with the devil, she told herself, "forgive her".

In the Bible it says to keep your mind stayed on the things above and not of things in the Earth. And this test was cutting her heart, killing her flesh… yet unbeknownst to her it was enabling her to be more like Christ.

Well, she is me.  

It hurt my soul when I realized that at the last supper Jesus washed Judas' feet. But when I told my mom I love her knowing the next day she would betray me, I was comforted. 

When the court case was complete, and I was out of eye water to even cry, the Lord asked me "If you could say one thing to her right now what would it be?" with some hesitation I said "I forgive you."

Jesus has been where I am trying to go. He was betrayed, He was lied on, yet He still loved and forgave. And as if that wasn't enough, He even shed His blood and died!

No one is asking me to give my life for my mom. No one is asking me to sacrifice myself on the behalf of those who treat me wrongly.  I am not required to have nails put through my hands and feet, a crown of thorns on my head, and a spear stuck in my side. Yet, as much as He was hated, as much as we sinned against Him, God Himself in the flesh willingly died so our evil and corrupt selves could be washed in the blood and spend eternity with God Himself.

Now, I don't know about the next guy, but I wouldn't even want to spend eternity with someone who rose up against me. Yet, we are so loved, and so precious, and so cared for that, in spite of it all, God wants us to spend eternity with Him. 

Looking at my situation from a spiritual perspective, this is only a light affliction (2 Cor. 4:17). And this situation is working a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. So even though I lost the battle, My Savior and I shall win the war.

My prayer is that my mom fully accepts Christ's gift of salvation. That she lives a life so pleasing to God, the first thing He says when He sees her is "Well done my good and faithful servant." And I'm hoping that by forgiving and loving, my God will say those same words to me.