I’ve Got Issues (05/12/2026)

I’ve got issues – several, in fact. I have issues with rude and reckless drivers that whiz around me while I am trying to parallel park rather than waiting politely and patiently for the five seconds it takes me to do it safely. I have issues with people who say they are listening but are not as proven by them not remembering what was spoken. I especially have issues with myself when I’m that person. I have issues with people who are late because of poor planning on their part because I was raised on “Lombardi time” (If you show up at 10 for a 10 o’clock meeting, you are late) and because I think it reeks of disrespect. But most of all, I have issues with those who don’t think they have issues of their own.

I’m not proud of my issues, but I admit them. I’m working on them. I got a little extra incentive a while back when my grandson who was a Marine at the time told me “As a Marine, I’m taught to seek to know myself, most especially those areas where I am broken or need healing. But we Marines know we can’t stay there. We must work to improve.” Ever since that day, I’ve been trying to work on “my issues.” Nothing humbles a person quicker than having a youngster show us how it should be done. Nothing makes it more imperative than love for the one who is showing us.

Christ knows we are not perfect, yet He tells us to strive to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect. Jesus’ words humble me because He shows me that He sees me in my imperfection but believes that I can change – it’s called conversion. Jesus’ words also make my desire to do better more imperative because the image of Him on that cross for love of me is permanently etched in my mind.

Yes, Jesus our Savior gave His life for ours knowing we are sinners. He was well aware of our sinfulness which is demonstrated most powerfully when the religious authorities brought a woman caught in adultery before Him and wanted Him to approve of their stoning her. “Let the one among you without sin cast the first stone.” Jesus knew that if they were honest, there would be no stone casting that day.

But, and this is a big but I have learned, He calls us daily to do better, to try harder, to seek strength and restraint, to become the saints He knows we can be. We are sinners, but Jesus treats us like “saints in the making.” He knows we have issues. He loves us still. And still He calls us to right relationship with our LORD and one another, and if we can do that, we will be more able to follow in His footsteps.

As we continue our journeys believing in Jesus Christ, Son of God, our Savior, and full of hope in what is possible because of Him and His love, let us love as He commanded us – love as He Himself loved. He never promised us the journey would be easy; in fact, He was always honest about its challenges. But He gave us His example. Let us follow it as best we can trying harder each day than the day before.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.