Our family lake day didn’t start quite as I planned. The weather was perfect: Sunshine and 90 degrees, nice and hot like a lake day is meant to be. But then right when we parked, we realized we left our canopy tent at home, our only means of shade on a blistering day.
I closed my eyes, took a breath.
Just let it go, Michele.
“No problem, babe,” I told my husband. “We’ll adjust.” So he drove to another spot where we found a lone cottonwood tree on a long stretch of beach and set up our day camp. It was perfect, even better than a tent, to be honest. But then, while unpacking, we discovered we also left some of our water gear at home. And then the pump for the inflatable kayak and ski tube didn’t work.
Breathe, Michele. Not a big deal. We can still have fun.
Again, we improvised and made the best of it. It was still going to be a good day.
Soon, my husband and kids set out to do some boating. And I was left behind with nothing but a beach chair, ice-cold sparkling water, and a great book. After more than two hours of prep and chaos, everything had come together perfectly.
I closed my eyes and exhaled, savoring the peace and quiet. It was worth all the hassle and headache for this moment.
However (you knew it was coming), not more than 30 minutes later I noticed a young couple walking in my direction.
“Hi!” the young man said, as he dropped their blankets, cooler, and blow-up couch (I kid you not) eight feet from where I sat with my book and sparkling water.
My friends, I’d love to tell you that I matched his friendliness with equal enthusiasm. But disappointment is a powerful force. And in a hot second, my many years of Bible study and church attendance were swallowed up by acute irritation at the rude interruption. I fell short of outright hostility but my posture toward this young man and his girlfriend was, at best, FROSTY. Brrr. Even more so when he lit his pipe and started smoking (not tobacco), then turned on his music so he could jam on the beach.
“Do you have a music preference?” he asked with a smile. “I don’t want to completely interrupt your quiet afternoon.”
Too late, I muttered under my breath. A small voice somewhere in the recesses of my mind tried to keep me Christian with words like, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32 NIV). But all I could see was how my perfect day’s plans were going up in pipe smoke and reggae.
I wish I could tell you that I immediately felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit and did an about-face with my attitude. I did not. Nor did I feel remorse when the couple packed up their things and left. It wasn’t until the following day when I pulled out my Bible to spend time with Jesus that His words finally worked conviction in my heart:
“The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard,
a friend of tax collectors and sinners.'”
Matthew 11:19 NIV
A friend of tax collectors and sinners.
Tax collectors were seen as traitors, cheats, and opportunists who used others for personal gain. They were some of the worst of humanity, despicable, and ostracized. Far worse than an intrusive young couple who wanted to share my shade on a public beach.
And yet, those who were ostracized by people like you and me were welcomed by Jesus. In fact, they drew near to Him, coming closer and closer like moths to a light. There was something about Jesus that made the lonely feel like they’d come home, even if they didn’t have their life together.
Alas, the church-y people around Jesus couldn’t see past their irritation:
“Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, ‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.'”
Luke 15:1-2 NIV
In his book Gentle and Lowely, Dan Ortland says it this way: “Though the crowds call him the friend of sinners as an indictment, the label is one of unspeakable comfort for those who know themselves to be sinners. That Jesus is friend to sinners is only contemptible to those who feel themselves not to be in that category.”
God forgive me, I was the worst sort of Pharisee last week on the lake. Rather than open my arms, I folded them, justifying my judgments every step of the way. I have much yet to learn about the heart of the Father toward His children.
How about you? Who do you ostracize or avoid because of how they don’t fit into your perfect plan? Don’t worry, I’m not going to judge you. I have my hands full focusing on my own frosty heart. But I will leave you with something to consider, and I will do the same:
Jesus doesn’t simply tolerate interruptions and the people who make them. He welcomes them. He seeks them out. He finds the people most unwanted and out of place, and rather than wait for them to make a fuss, He pulls out a chair and offers them a seat. Why? Because they aren’t an interruption to His plan — they are His plan.
So am I. And so are you. Tax collectors and sinners, one and all.
Michele,
Whenever I read your devotions, I think of my friend who is a three time mouth cancer survivor!
Your writing is so relatable. I’ve shared it x 2!
Sending you Summer JOY,
Lisa Wilt
Ahhh, thank you, Lisa! Grateful.
Much food for thought, Michele! Thank you!
I’m glad, Irene. Be encouraged!
Michele,
Are you kidding…..this would have been me for sure….. . Sad to admit it. A tax collector and worse am I. Praise God for His forgiveness towards me! Thank you for your honesty and your word pictures. The lake sounded lovely.
I’m always excited when you show up!
‘They aren’t an interruption to His plan …they are His plan!’ Soo good.
Same, Dee. I wish it weren’t so! Alas, we’re learning, yes. By the grace of God.
Dear Michele……………..What a great and interesting story. I am pretty sure I would have done the same thing you did back in my much younger days( I am 77 Years old ).It did not dawn on me until years later, even though I am a Christian that what I did was wrong. I was all settled in to a relaxing day on the beach, just my husband and me, and here came the Boom-Box and a very young couple that roosted right next to us. When I realized that I had done this, I prayed right away, but it was so long ago, I was afraid I wouldn’t be forgiven, but Jesus came and told me that He would forgive me, because as I got older and got this “Dream Job”, everyone there loved me as I told them if you ever have any kind of situation that you need to talk to someone, be it personal or professional, just come and tell me and we will arrange something. I had this job for 35 years and never turned anyone away because I had a lot of difficult problems and people turned their backs on me which hurt my feelings, but my Holy Spirit told me that first incident was supposed to happen as later it gave me strength to not turn anyone down. So, Michele, Thank you for your great story and Blessings and prayers to you and your loved ones. Betsy Basile
Thank you for sharing, Betsy. Your experience and perspective encourage me! Grateful for you. May we all lean into grace and live differently as a result. Much love to you! ~Michele
Michele….Sorry I was so late replying, but there was something wrong with the internet this morning and I could not even read all of your story until after lunch. Hope you have a chance to read my reply. It was a great story and I connected with it, but I am 77 years old and have many work experiences in my 50 years of working eventually as a manager. Thank you again…….Betsy Basile
I did, Betsy! 🙂
Thanks Michelle. Your writing, both here and in your books, is so incredibly honest, therefore moving. It allows me to see my flaws in a kinder way! I am sure I have acted like just like this, sadly more than once, over the years with the addition of eye rolls or stink eye. I am better at it as I’ve gotten older, but I’m 67 and am pretty sure I don’t have it mastered yet and will do it again! Thank you again for the reminder. I hope you are doing well.
I’m so glad, Stephanie. We’re in this together. <3
Thank you for this, Michele. Your words always have a way of making me feel as if you’re sitting right across the table from me having a friendly and honest conversation. I think we all have stories similar to this one, which is why it’s such a powerful reminder that we’re all human and all sinners, sometimes as the tax collector, sometimes as the Pharisee. And we’re all equally loved by God and welcomed by His son. Blessings and best wishes to you from a fellow cancer survivor and sinner saved by grace.
“Equally loved by God and welcomed by His son.” YES!!! Forever grateful. Thank you, sister.
Michele,
That’s what I love about Jesus. He doesn’t mind disruptions in His routine in fact, He willingly receives them. Unlike me I don’t often receive interruptions in my plans, day, or routine very kindly. He does so because He knows that showing love, care & concern for them could turn them into Christians. It’s all apart of His master plan.
Blessings 🙂