![\"SmilingFace\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/454\/2016\/01\/image1-300x295.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nI\u2019ve often wondered whether the remainder of this woman\u2019s life was truly changed for good by her one encounter with Christ.<\/p>\n
I suspect not.<\/p>\n
Especially with those last words left throbbing in her ears.<\/p>\n
But then again, it just might be my own projection:
\n
\nThen he bent down and continued writing on the ground. When they heard this they went away one by one, beginning with the eldest, until the last one had gone and Jesus was left alone with the woman, who remained in the middle. Jesus again straightened up and said, \u2018Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?\u2019 \u2018No one, sir,\u2019 she replied. \u2018Neither do I condemn you,\u2019 said Jesus. \u2018Go away, and from this moment sin no more.\u2019 \u2013 John 8: 8-11.<\/em><\/p>\nThe Cycle<\/b><\/p>\n
The day is made new, the resolution firm.<\/p>\n
Clean hands, clean slate.<\/p>\n
A fresh scent fills the lungs.<\/p>\n
Like the first day of creation<\/p>\n
It is\u00a0very<\/em> good.<\/p>\nThen, slowly compromised,<\/p>\n
Weakness, bargaining, weariness set in.<\/p>\n
No place to hide.<\/p>\n
No relief in sight.<\/p>\n
I stumble. I falter. I fail<\/p>\n
Yet again.<\/p>\n
Humiliated, I turn once more<\/p>\n
To face my accusers.<\/p>\n
Expecting stones, I am given bread,<\/p>\n
Lathered with unexpected grace<\/p>\n
Like so much honey.<\/p>\n
A grace which sets the wasted day to rights.<\/p>\n
Granting me, once again,<\/p>\n
The time to gather my strength and<\/p>\n
The desire to clutch at fresh wisdom.<\/p>\n
I then take refuge in the silence of the night.<\/p>\n
Until the next dawn draws near<\/p>\n
When, yet again,<\/p>\n
The day is made new . . .<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Peace<\/p>\n
Image Credit: NASA<\/a>\u00a0(NASA\/ESA Hubble Space Telescope)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"I\u2019ve often wondered whether the remainder of this woman\u2019s life was truly changed for good by her one encounter with Christ. I suspect not. Especially with those last words left throbbing in her ears. But then again, it just might be my own projection: Then he bent down and continued writing on the ground. When […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1976,"featured_media":4697,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4696","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n
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<\/a><\/p>\n