January 21, 2026
Getting Your way
Matthew 18:18-25
This phrase sounds amazing
A phrase we may all desire or want
The reality is that sometimes do get what we want but we might be missing it
How many days do we arrive safely and on time?
How many times do the lights go on and off at the flip of a switch?
In these days how much do we notice that traffic was in our favor, that we got there safely?
In these times how often do we notice that everything ran smoothly when it did for the meeting?
How often is our first response thanksgiving?
And when it doesn’t go as it normally does, How do we respond?
How often do we talk about the thing that went wrong this week, when it is often the very thing we often take for granted?
It’s who you are
It’s who you are in the moments when you don’t get your way and when reality doesn't measure up. It’s who you are when you're running late and it doesn’t match with your expectation.
These moments test what you have been working on in the chaos or reveal the spots that you may need to refine in the stillness.
When we were children and we didn't get what we wanted, we often cried, some of us maybe stormed off, maybe some of us just kept quiet. We all have different postures of not getting our way and each situation may take on different forms for us.
Some of us may be living in the same response we did when we were younger and when we were growing up. Well, in reality, we are always growing up.
A simple truth has helped me navigate such hurdles:
We have to live with the emotions that we create
I think the backpack is getting heavy for some of us
3 words: Grace, Patience + Solutions in times of adversity, inconvenience, + obstacles
May I be a person that is graceful, patient, slow to speak
May I be a person that is steadfast, constant, problem solving in every moment
I found some moments where my heart was tethered and freed all at the same time. This last week, my fiance was coming to pick me up from my apartment to take me to the airport. He was taking time out of his night to pick me up and take me- I was so thankful! He was getting done with his work day, graciously driving his car to come pick me up and take me to the airport from my apartment.
Well, traffic patterns were growing and he was still at his apartment. We set a time and it was after this time had passed. I noticed the very subtle cues of impatience coming in and taint the true posture of thanksgiving. When I write it out on paper it seems simple. This is the beauty of processing.
So often, is our first response to wonder what is taking them so long? Is it our second response to get them moving and remind the person that they are running behind?
I was reminded of grace + patience at this moment. I was humbly reminded of the parable where there was a servant freed from his debt, all of it. His master cancelled all the debt that this servant had owed. The master had pity on this man and he was set free.
Now this same servant lent another man money. And when the person could not pay the borrowed loan, the servant went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. Matthew 18:30
This man received mercy but was not willing to give mercy. The master came and called the servant wicked. Matthew 18:18-35
The reality is that we all have received grace and mercy from the most perfect Being. It is how we are living today.
As I have been given grace, now who am I to fail to extend the very grace that I have received?
I am the friend that is often running a little behind schedule. If you have waited for me, thank you, truly thank you! I have worked on my arrival time over these years as I see the need to honor and respect people’s time. I have not been perfect and yet, I have had so many friends that have received me with grace, mercy and joy when I arrive. And I am thankful for the grace, the patience they had upon me.
Grace gives credit where credit is due
It looks like counting all the things that goes right, even when 1 thing goes different than desired
Kaelan was still taking time out of his evening
Kaelan was still coming to pick me up + wanting to show up
Kaelan was still wanting to spend quality time before I leave for the weekend
It was his willingness to pick me up and his protection to make sure I got there safely. It was his kindness wanting to spend time with me even if it’s for a short drive. It’s in the intentionality that he knows this means a lot to me.
Patience allows a safe place
We have the opportunity to create the environment we are within
When he arrived, I had the opportunity to show up with joy + love as we had a 15 minute drive to the airport. I am so thankful the Lord showed me these moments and helped allow joy and gratitude to be the response.
I ask us today, how do we want the experience to be for others to be?
Let’s not throw people in jails for the very thing we wanted but did not get.
Let’s not be short and snippy with people in our conversations because something did not go our way. The jails can be the words we speak, the actions we take, the tones we use when we talk with them. The jail can be the silent treatment in the office or at home.
I want to stray away from majoring in the minors
Major in the Majors + Minor in the Minors
Here are some steps to Rest in Grace today
Acknowledge the very grace that has been poured out on us
Accept the grace, walk in that grace
Extend grace to those around us- there is enough grace to go around
The grace is not just for us to experience, but it is for others to experience as well. His grace multiplies
Meeting people right where they are at is accepting the reality of today and allows people to come as they are
Things go wrong and some don't go according to the plan. I ask myself often, am I holding on too tightly to a plan?
Being Solution Minded
Is there something that I (yes, I) could have done better to help the situation?
Communicate more clearly
Set a reminder for the other person
Plan better by allowing 30 extra minutes in my day
Allow margin, more margin
Let’s count the good
Let’s count the very thing we may be taking for granted
Let’s give credit where credit is due
Let’s live in gratitude
We are not going to get it perfect everytime - It’s the thing that keeps us on our toes, heart bent towards Jesus and the call to learn to ride the waves
We may be patient and excited for a day or two. In a few weeks, the impatience may creep in- totally normal! Keep asking Him for grace + keep walking in this grace
I heard in a sermon once, “We may not be able to be a perfect picture of God’s grace and mercy but we can be a pretty good picture of humble repentance”
So I am reminded that if I am impatient, I am always okay to apologize to those I need to and to keep walking in grace
I want to be on the side that receives people with grace- that greats with open arms
I never want to take the very gift that I have been given for granted
How we leave an imprint on others- good, bad, positive- weighs on them
It can either be a light + airy that allows them to carry more
Or it can be a heavy weight that weighs them down + can spill out on the next person
The same grace we have received, may be the same grace we give and the same grace that is given to the next person. This life, this grace is bigger than ourselves.
Extending Grace and Patience looks like seeing from their perspective
The person at the restaurant, at the service shop, at the grocery store may be having a really rough day
We have the ability to create beautiful environments. We have the opportunity to be resting places for people. Let’s be people that allow time for mistakes, give grace for unplanned events + keep our palms open in patience
Let’s count the goodness, let’s count the kindness, let’s be proactive in recognizing the good amongst the hard. “Glass Half Full rather than glass half empty.”
His abundance allows our cups to fill and to remain full.
Jesus was running on a different schedule
When He was on the way to Jarius’ daughter who was sick, He stopped along the way.
He reached out and saved a woman that had been bleeding- He was right on time as He was walking in step with the Spirit.
This stop in the middle of His travels radically changed this woman’s life
This stop was written in the very Book of life we read today
This stop has changed my life
To be a Christ follower is to follow the way that He walked
To study the way He lived and to apply it to our own life
The stories are living and active- We are seeing parables today
We just must be willing and able to be interrupted in order to allow time and space for Him to teach His way. Allow space for conversations, allow a place for rest, allow words of encouragement.
When we put ourselves in other people’s shoes, we approach with empathy rather than judgment
When we consider everything the person is doing in a positive way, we lead with grace rather than impatience
May we be more focused on getting His way rather than our way. It’s the posture of our hearts.
Hope is a wonderful lens to begin with
Gratitude is a great posture to walk with
Love is an extraordinary place to be
Let’s be proactive in the things that matter- receiving others with hope, grace, and love
All my love,
Makenna