Deciding to join Facebook in 2009 felt as if I plunged headlong into uncharted and thrilling waters. Butterflies danced wild and free within the walls of my stomach, as unexplored territory loomed on the horizon. Face aglow with excitement embarking on this recently acquired adventure, only to enhance to a greater depth my already delightful run as a longtime stay at home mom.
A bold new avenue to broaden my connections with the outside world while still enjoying the comforts of home was carte blanche to “having my cake and eating it to”. Fork in one hand, cake in the other savoring the leisure of reconnecting with friends, family and classmates, rejoicing with the freedom and readiness Facebook had to offer. No longer having to wait until family or class reunions to get caught up. Also, pleasantly surprised at the ease this network made connecting with those you never had the pleasure of knowing very well before; so it was with a group of high school ladies from the Reynolds Lancers. Birthed from casual Facebook interactions eventually leading us to be cleverly dubbed “The La La’s”, short for Ladies and Lancers. This freshly brought together group met over dinners and gatherings all a buzz as we took our trip down memory lane. You would never know we were on the cusp of all turning 50, for memories of teenage years flooded our memory banks, spilling over into the present whenever we conversed .
One day such a moment happened when someone started a “thread” to chat back and forth on the internet. The conversations poured in about life, kids and of course high school. That particular day someone casually mentioned one of the teachers, triggering my memory to begin typing out his thirty year old nickname he held back in the day. Is if that was not enough I continued trying hard to be witty as I expounded on this thought. Wrapping up what I thought was comic stride I stepped away from the computer… however, instantly a strong conviction came over me as I started the treadmill. What was I thinking? I asked myself , “I’m not sixteen anymore and what I did was wrong.” Quickly turning off the exercise machine I went back and positioned myself in front of my computer eager to type out a full apology for my immature behavior. This is when hunt and peck method is at a sore and painful disadvantage.
Reopening the computer I was horrified to realize that very teacher I had just poked fun at, had unbeknownst to me been on the thread the whole time. Red faced and mortified I poured out my repentance for all to see, asking Him to forgive me. Truly sorry for hurting him and ashamed of my willingness to get a cheap laugh at someone else expense. After finishing my deepest regret and taking ownership of this Epic failure something beautiful happened…
Forgiveness poured in spilling unconditional love over my shame.
Not only was I forgiven I was given a new nickname … Bunny
I saw myself as a foolish child, having the sting of an adder.
My friend Lisa saw me as a soft cuddly and sweet bunny. No way on earth did I feel deserving of that name… and yet isn’t that what unconditional love is all about.
Throughout the brief time our group stayed together, there was not a time that went by that being called Bunny did not touch my heart and cause profound gratefulness, grace, forgiveness, and a clean slate. Even though I made a major Loo Loo of a Boo Boo… I was still loved unconditionally. Making this Bunny extremely Hoppy !!
Dear Lord , What a comfort to know nothing takes you by surprise, not even the word that rolls off our tongue. Thank you for unconditional love and grace displayed so beautifully through you and all those that follow your precious example.
To the choirmaster: A Psalm of David. “O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.”
Psalm 139:1-24 ESV
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
Ephesians 2:8 ESV
