He Will Not Let My Foot Slip

A few weeks ago, I did and said something that upset a family member. I never apologised. I was impatient, and what I said was unkind, totally unnecessary, and probably spiteful. The family left us shortly after the incident and I went on as usual. But I felt bad. I felt a bit grumpy about this same family member. Nothing was said. We went our way. They went theirs. And our communication continued with WhatsApp … But …

‘He will not let your foot slip’. One day I read this psalm and this sentence spoke to me. ‘He will not let your foot slip.’ I know that in the last few weeks, since this incident happened between me and my much-loved relative, there has been a barrier. I’ve felt it. I have felt upside-down with God. I found I hadn’t wanted to pray. I felt too tired and busy to have my time with God in the morning. I felt upside down and very distant from prayer and from God’s presence. Then it dawned on me that God wasn’t letting me go. I had to put things right and apologise, forgive, and ask for forgiveness over this silly little incident that had upset me and upset a member of my family - and which couldn’t be righted between me and God, or that person, until that putting right had happened.

My foot had, indeed, slipped – and God wasn’t giving me peace until things had been put right. I had to send those apologies. They were genuine. I felt so bad about it. But now the air is clear, and I know that things are right between us. That cloud has lifted! My peace has returned.