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EN(dur)ANCE by Robin Gudal

“If you curse me, then I will bless you. If you hurt me, I will forgive. And if you hate me, then I will love you. I choose the Jesus way. If you’re helpless, I will defend you. If you’re burdened, I’ll share the weight. And if you’re hopeless, then let me show you there’s hope in the Jesus way. If you strike me, I will embrace you. And if you chain me, I’ll sing his praise. And if you kill me, my home is Heaven. For I choose the Jesus way. And I choose surrender, I choose to love, Oh God, my Savior, you’ll always be enough. I choose forgiveness, I choose grace, I choose to worship, no matter what I face. I choose the Jesus way.” — “The Jesus Way,” Phil Wickman.

“Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” — 1 John 3:18 NLT

“For years I did not like my father-in-law, Paul. I endured and limited visits with him. Becky (my wife) told me, ‘If my father dies and you haven’t made some attempt to get to know him and love him, I don’t know how I will forgive you.’ Her words exposed both my insolence and arrogance. I could be civil, if not polite, but I would not let that man have any of my heart. Several months later, I set out to leave the house for an important meeting and couldn’t start my motorcycle. Becky, feeling my panic and anger, offered, ‘I’ll call my father and see if he can help.’ I was so desperate I would have taken help from Beelzebub. I soon found myself listening intently to Paul’s voice through the phone as he graciously and wisely walked me through several issues that might have shut it down. The third try lit up the bike. I sincerely thanked him, and in one simple exchange, our relationship changed. Before long, I was inviting him to join a fishing trip to Montana with a group of good men and allowing him into my heart. Over time, I came to love him — and not because he changed. I changed.” — “The Deep-Rooted Marriage,” Dan B. Allender and Steve Call

As I was driving, I was playing over in my head offenses and hurts from the past, but not with anger. It was more of an inventory of how I’ve healed. My knee-jerk reaction and thought after the first was also knowing I have been the one at times. Just then Jesus showed up through my radio with the song above, “The Jesus Way.” It was the balm of continued healing and self-reflection I needed. We serve such a kind and loving Christ. I pray you embrace him!

Robin (Beckman) Gudal is intentional in life, a wife, momma, nana, friend and a flawed and imperfect follower of Jesus.