When I was in college, I went to Antioch Community Church in Waco, Tx. At the time, Robert Herber was the college pastor. I remember very clearly Robert talking about sandpaper people. In case you aren't familiar with sandpaper people, they are those who are rough around the edges (at least in your eyes) and refine you. How do they refine you? Most often by being different and annoying you.
Here's the deal: we ALL have sandpaper people in our lives. Somewhere, someone in your life refines you because they cause you to be more patient or somehow become more like Jesus.
Today, I was thinking about a current sandpaper person in my life. I was thinking about how the person drives me insane; I mean really crazy. Sometimes I think about how different life would be without this person. My imagination tells me I'd be calmer and happier.
But let's be honest.
This person would be replaced by another sandpaper person. So... unless I want to live on a deserted island (which, honestly, sometimes sounds AMAZING), I'm stuck with at least one sandpaper person in my life.
Then.. It hit me.
What if I am someone's sandpaper person?
Wait, what? I, Leah Gatlin, could be that person that another person feels their life could be better without? I am that person who is refining someone because I drive them bananas? Whoa. More than COULD is a PROBABLY. There is PROBABLY someone out there who I annoy. Thankfully, said person is super gracious and kind.. because I don't know who he or she is.
So, in case the person for whom I am sandpaper is reading this, thank you for choosing grace, love, and patience with me. Thank you for not losing your mind and telling me exactly what you think of me and how much easier life would be without me.
Now I'm going to go try to have a little more grace, love, and patience for my sandpaper person. I'm going to ask God to show me how HE sees this person. There is something unique this person has to teach me; there is something of Him that I can only get through this person.
That changes everything. Sandpaper person, I love you and am thankful for you.
Here's the deal: we ALL have sandpaper people in our lives. Somewhere, someone in your life refines you because they cause you to be more patient or somehow become more like Jesus.
Today, I was thinking about a current sandpaper person in my life. I was thinking about how the person drives me insane; I mean really crazy. Sometimes I think about how different life would be without this person. My imagination tells me I'd be calmer and happier.
But let's be honest.
This person would be replaced by another sandpaper person. So... unless I want to live on a deserted island (which, honestly, sometimes sounds AMAZING), I'm stuck with at least one sandpaper person in my life.
Then.. It hit me.
What if I am someone's sandpaper person?
Wait, what? I, Leah Gatlin, could be that person that another person feels their life could be better without? I am that person who is refining someone because I drive them bananas? Whoa. More than COULD is a PROBABLY. There is PROBABLY someone out there who I annoy. Thankfully, said person is super gracious and kind.. because I don't know who he or she is.
So, in case the person for whom I am sandpaper is reading this, thank you for choosing grace, love, and patience with me. Thank you for not losing your mind and telling me exactly what you think of me and how much easier life would be without me.
Now I'm going to go try to have a little more grace, love, and patience for my sandpaper person. I'm going to ask God to show me how HE sees this person. There is something unique this person has to teach me; there is something of Him that I can only get through this person.
That changes everything. Sandpaper person, I love you and am thankful for you.
such good thoughtful perspective! Love you!
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