spearmint

The pleasant taste of real mint leaves is unforgettable. That is why I was thrilled to find what I thought was a spearmint plant growing near my front door. But after giving it the “taste test,” my joy quickly turned to disappointment; it was not mint at all, but Mexican Mint Marigold. Its bitter taste was a letdown, much like the sorrow we feel when people disappoint us. Someone we trust, admire, or love acts in a way we never expected, and suddenly they no longer seem like the person we thought we knew.

The truth is, every one of us has at times worn masks or pretended to be something we are not. Children do this innocently when they dress up as superheroes or princesses. As we grow older, in life and in our walk with Jesus, we are called to discover who we truly are and to live in that truth. Too often, we hold others to account for what we quietly excuse in our own hearts, like the team who questioned their coach’s integrity when he demanded strict diets, only to be seen later eating at a fast-food restaurant.

The reality is, we all fall short of our own ideals. The good news is that when we commit to following Jesus, we do not become perfect overnight. We become saints in the making. Old habits, selfish attitudes, and false appearances begin to be reshaped. The process takes time, but God’s Spirit is patient.

As someone once said, “The church is not where the spotless gather... it is where the hurting are made whole.” God’s grace is the healing medicine we need. It is a gift we can never earn, but can freely receive. His grace forgives our failures, brings peace with God, draws us into unity with others, and fills us with hope for the future.

G. Yarin