Tantrum

Romans 12:9-21

 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honour. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ No, ‘if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

I'm returning to my devotional after over a week of feeling like my enemy - the flu - was definitely getting the upper hand by heaping hot coals on my head! (although hot coals also would have come in handy during our big power outage here in PA!)

Actually, I've always loved that imagery.  Maybe that seems odd to love it, but it's just so visceral, that I know exactly what Paul is describing here.  He's actually quoting Proverbs as well - they also talk of heaping hot coals on an enemies head by giving them water to drink when they are thirsty.

I mean, I've felt that heat of "burning coals heaped" on my head.  Has there ever been a time when you knew you were in the wrong and someone shows you grace and mercy and in that moment you just know exactly what Paul is talking about.  I know have a tendency to flush bright red from my neck to my chest - as if hot from those coals! - when I've been embarrassed or my wrong has been put on display.

There is however, a different kind of heat that is felt when you are the one showing grace and mercy.  When you repay a wrong with a right.  When you quench the thirst of the enemy.

That heat radiates from the heart.  It's the kind of heat that heals.  It's the kind of heat that can heal even the pain of feeling like burning coals have been heaped on you.  The thing about the mortification of feeling mercy being given to you when you've done your worst is that after it's over, that mortification gives way to the grace and takes away the power of the anger.  The healing heat of heart-given mercy spreads and cools your anger and wounds.

What do you do with a toddler throwing a tantrum - a wild, whirling dervish of a tantrum?  You pull them into your arms and let the mercy and grace flow until slowly the tears give way to peace.

Patient and loving Lord, throw your arms of grace around us when we throw our tantrums large and small.  And help us to do the same, stopping conflict always with love and mercy.  Amen