Day 82, March 23

Life has a way of calling due markers.

The husband and father who neglects his family in favor of work may discover that his family has no need of him. The wife and mother who abandons her family to "find" herself will find that she is alone and lonely. The man who utters nothing but unkind words will likely find that those are the only words returned to him.

Nature is a laboratory of called-in markers. A garden left untended reverts to its natural state. A lawn left unwatered soon withers and dies. Weeds left unpulled will choke out flowers and vegetables.

I have just presented several unpalatable situations above, so what am I being grateful for today? (I can hear you now thinking, "She's going to quote another hymn." Well, I could, but I'll surprise you and just muddle through on my own.)

God has provided us with a remedy for our mistakes, our neglect, our selfishness. It's called repentance. The man who neglects his family can repent and do better. The woman who abandons her family can also repent, as can the man who has nothing but harsh words to give to others.

Repentance isn't free. It requires that we pay a price, that of humility and sorrow and restitution. I am still trying to get it right, still trying to give up the pride and arrogance and selfishness that smear so many of my thoughts and actions, still trying to partake of what the Father so freely gives me.

So, for today, I am grateful for the gift of repentance.