She couldn’t wait to dig into the face paints and create a masterpiece. There is nothing quite like the exhilaration of unwrapping your imagination, watching it unfold with each stroke of the brush. Together, sisters giggled and tickled their way through painting each other’s faces. Taking turns, they spoke of colorful fairytale lands and magic castles as wings formed on one cheek and flowers formed on the other.
In that moment, they were experiencing life together in the fullest.
Laughing, dreaming, and carrying out the art of sisterhood and friendship. Lost in bright hues and make believe stories, neither of them had a care in the world.
That is until they brought out the mirrors.
“BELLA! This does not look like a butterfly!”
Little sister screamed hysterically as she ran upstairs to hide under the bed. Butterfly wings morphed into messy splotches of paint and remnants of artistic beauty were left behind as tear drops fell to the floor.
Little sister cried because her vision of a glorious butterfly fluttering to her face resembled more of a fuzzy caterpillar. Big sister, who never painted a face before, was crushed.
The evening that sprung forth in anticipation was reduced to disappointment because of unmet expectations.
TEARING DOWN THE HOUSE
I have been there too. Wallowing in my own dark corner, agonizing over failed plans, misspoke words and broken relationships when someone has hurt me.
Our minds become inundated with everything that should have, could have or would have been. The enjoyment of creating life, telling stories and laughing together fades in the background when a heavy let down crashes into the heart.
We, too, can easily hide under the bed, refusing to come out when we’ve been hurt. However, in that dark moment, our thoughts tear the other person down.
She disappointed me.
He wasn’t there for me when I needed him.
She failed to live up to my standards.
He doesn’t do this for me.
Relationships crumble under the weight of unmet expectations. King Solomon tells us that a wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands. Hands of negative thoughts, hurtful words and selfish actions.
WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS, FORGIVE
The next morning, after the Great Face Painting Debacle, I found two notes on the backseat of our truck.
To Bella, From Madelyn: I got mad when you painted my face. I am really sorry. I hope you forgive me. Please write back.
I forgive you. Love, Bella.
I recalled the evening prior when I made Madelyn apologize. However, true repentance can never be forced. Rather, it is compelled by love. And sometimes it doesn’t come until the next morning.
“Love believes all things, hopes all things.” I Corinthians 13:7
Every morning I also have a choice.
I can replay soundtracks of weaknesses, failures and disappointments of others or I can sing sweet songs of praise, adoration and forgiveness.
Today, I choose the latter.
Today, I choose grace.
