Beyond the flannel board stories in Sunday School, my first real introduction to Scripture was in high school when a fellow student read I Corinthians 13 to a drama class as his poetry selection.

The words spoke to me and I believe that was when God first used His Word to draw me close.

Love always draws us close, doesn’t it?

At church, our adult Sunday School class (or flock) has been studying I Corinthians 12 and 13 and spiritual gifts. This week we finished up a discussion of love.

I have a confession to make:

I left class feeling more beat up than encouraged or exhorted.

I’m not saying any of what follows as a bid for attention or kudos or sympathy. I’m not whining. I love that I can do these things and I love doing them.

But … just this week, I have done or will do the following:

• driving some extended family to the San Francisco airport and returning the same day
• cooking and delivering a meal to a friend who just had surgery
• helping Stud Muffin prepare his baked beans for a July 4th party
• having three different meetings, with different groups, for different purposes
• Having physical therapy twice

In the next few weeks, I’ll be:

• planning, shopping, and preparing for a family weekend/birthday party at a friend’s cabin
• helping plan a second weekend/birthday party
• helping plan another birthday party  (Yes, that makes three and I didn’t include the one that I’m hosting but not planning)

That’s all for other people.

For myself, I’m:

• seeing a physical therapist twice a week
• preparing for a national conference in another state (this involves more than packing and driving. I’ve ordered new business cards, I have a dress that needs alterations, pitches to polish, dog/house sitting arrangements to finalize, and a checklist that makes a nuclear test look simple)

Add the regular stuff like keeping on top of laundry, cleaning, dishes, shopping, and meals and I’m not in a place to hear that I need to do more, love more, support more, come alongside more.

I need grace. I need mercy.

And don’t we all?

Is there a scripture or teaching topic that discourages you more than encourages?

Thanks for reading.