The Last Day
On the day this post is being released, it will be the end of the academic year for our homeschool in 2023-2024. This one, though, is one we have seen coming from the beginning, because this is Mary Carol’s final last day of high school. (It is also her last day of homeschool…there’s no way Leah is going to homeschool her through college!)
I don’t write this post to be overly sentimental. I write it as a reminder to us all: when you are around people, remember that they all have things on their minds–things that are affecting them–that you may not know.
I have noticed that, as this day (and our graduation reception for Mary Carol, which is Friday) has drawn closer, I’ve been a little more emotional, but I have also really had to guard my frustration with people. I’m simply preoccupied with this transition in our family’s life, as well as some other things that are going on in our lives.
So, when that waiter at the restaurant is a little quick to leave your table before you let him know that you need more bread, don’t yell at him. You have no idea what is going on in his life. He may have just found out that a sibling was diagnosed with cancer.
When the Bible class teacher isn’t as cheery as you might think she should be, give her some grace. She might be dealing with a long-term illness of a parent and had a terrible week trying to provide care.
It is not that we excuse sinful behavior. That’s in its own category, and, especially if someone is a Christian, we must seek to call them out and help them repent of that. But if someone is simply a little forgetful, “overly” emotional, or obviously distracted, cut them some slack. You’d want them to do that for you, wouldn’t you?
As Mary Carol finishes high school and prepares for college–with Turner’s time coming next year–my mind is all over the place. From great memories to regrets of things undone, they are just all there. But a kid graduating high school is not something that anyone would know interacting with me. It’s not something that visibly expresses itself, but it is something that affects people. As such, you hope to be shown a little grace if you just aren’t quite “yourself” at times.
So, I hope I remember that as I interact with people. If they aren’t “themselves” (or if they aren’t who I think they ought to be), and it’s not sinful behavior, maybe I just need to give some grace. It might just make their day to be treated better than they are behaving.
AUTHOR: Adam Faughn
