I am delighted to introduce you to a dear friend of mine, Erika Gill.  She is a fun, honest, adventurous, thoughtful, dedicated-to-God-and-family kind of friend. Erika has blessed me and encouraged me in ways that will linger in my heart forever. She is a treasure.

Yesterday, after reading a devotion by another sweet friend of mine, Lysa, Erika emailed me to share how that devotion ministered to her heart.  Erika’s testimony of God’s goodness moved my heart, and I asked if we could share it here at Joy In The Truth.  Thank you, Erika, for always refreshing me with your love and with His truth.

Here is Erika’s tender email:

Dear Sharon, I love Lysa!!  Her devotions go right to my ‘mommy heart’!  I just wanted to share this with you.

This devotion “Ruined For Good” reminds me of the time our family went to Mexico.  The boys were about 5 and 6. We were in a shopping mall and they had a display with colorful stand-up wooden puzzles. Austin touched one and it fell on the floor. A small piece was chipped so they made us buy it. 

I was so angry that I think my blood was boiling. I kept bringing up how angry I was for several hours after the incident happened. I found it hard to let go. 

That night I cried about how I handled the situation. What kind of Christian mother acts like that?, I kept thinking to myself. I wish I could have stopped myself and thought before I reacted. 

I kept that puzzle hidden for a while, not because I was mad at my son, but because I was mad at myself for the ‘firecracker’ emotions that I displayed in front of my children. 

Later, I asked Austin to forgive me for the way I acted. Thankfully, God’s mercies are new each day. 

I now proudly display the puzzle in our entertainment center cabinet. That puzzle is definitely a ‘sweet change of perspective’ for me. I really should take a picture and put it in my purse as a daily reminder. A puzzling reminder of God’s goodness.  

(By Erika Gill)