With the cool winds of autumn blowing through our trees and cooling the air (at least here in California!), it’s a great time to settle in and appreciate the warmth of pumpkin-flavored drinks and foods. Cinnamon, ginger, brown sugar…they all smell like autumn to me. This has to be my favorite time of year (Christmas is different!).
Think about it: what makes the flavors of this time of year so special? Because we only use them in this combination and this concentration during this season. And what a great time to re-infuse our lives with seasonings of grace, too.
Proverbs 25:21-22 instructs…
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.
For the longest time, I thought this was a type of revenge on those who mistreat us. After all, you could burn their heads by being nice to them. What sweet revenge, right? Unfortunately for my bruised ego, it isn’t. Instead, this is sprinkling the seasoning of grace onto someone who needs it most.
Anyone can love someone who loves him or her. Anyone can provide wonderful aromas of affection on someone who sings their praises. But what about the one who doesn’t like you and most definitely does NOT sing your praises? How’s your grace shaker now?
Jesus told us to liberally sprinkle grace and love our enemies. He reminded us that His kids do not slap someone back because they’ve slapped us. In the place of the rotten stench of hatred, we cover our enemies with “grace gravy” (Matthew 5:43-48).
As you take a deep breath and enjoy the unique smells of the delicious (and high calorie) food of this season, think about how you can be that sweet aroma to those who dislike, disdain, and distract you. Be a grace shaker on them—not out of revenge, but out of a genuine love that Jesus has shown you.
Shake away!
Life Meets Theology 