Begin Again

Every morning I begin the day the same way.  Before I step out of bed I always ask the Lord to bless the day and help me to be the woman He wants me to be. As my feet touch the carpet, it’s a clean slate.  Heading downstairs I greet whoever happens to be heading out for the day and settle down with a cup of coffee and my Bible. At this point the slate is almost always still clean; unless I trip over a backpack on my way to the kitchen.  However, barring no unforeseen landmines on the floor for me to trip over, my attitude is typically good.
During my quiet time I do my best to focus on what my attitude should be, what I should and shouldn’t say, and what I should and shouldn’t do.  No one knows my triggers better than me, so I do my best to be proactive.  I pray and spend time in the Word in preparation for the day ahead.
Given all of the above you would think that eventually I would get it right. Unfortunately, I’ve yet to make it through the day without messing up my clean slate. Some days I make it further than others. Then there are days that are far from stellar. What frustrates me the most is, me! I know what I should say and do, but sometimes I just choose to head the opposite direction. Sure, I could make excuses. However, the bottom line is no matter what happens; I choose how I react. If someone speaks to me harshly, I can choose not to respond in anger. When asked a question, I can choose to respond with the truth, even if the truth isn’t easy to speak. Given the choice between holding a grudge and forgiving, I can choose to forgive.  Quite simply put, I make poor choices.
            I love Paul’s honesty in Romans 7.
I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.

Even Paul, the man who got knocked off his donkey on a Damascus road, struggled to do what was right in his daily life. Yet, despite his mistakes, God still used him in a mighty way. I’m so thankful that God gives us such examples. It gives me the encouragement to keep pressing on, even after I’ve made a mistake.

What does your “slate” look like today? Are there words you wish you hadn’t said or things you wish you hadn’t done? If so, I want to encourage you. Don’t grow weary and become discouraged.  We all struggle and make mistakes. Take a moment, talk to God and begin again.

Be blessed!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Loving & Serving Others

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.   If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. As I read these verses today, I am challenged to find ways to love others deeply, to serve them, and to offer hospitality during this most unusual time. I fully believe that with God all things are possible. We may have to think outside the box, but it can be done.   I am so encouraged as I see that some of the worst times are bringing out the best in many people. We have the ability to serve one another in so many ways, despite our current situation.
Read more

Where the Tweet Hits the Street or A White Suburban Woman's Call to Confront Racism

As I sit before an empty screen and type, my heart is anything but empty. My heart is full; full of sadness, despair, guilt, confusion, pain, and questions. The divide in our nation is deep, deeper than I’ve ever seen it. I have literally and figuratively been driven to my knees in prayer and brokenness. The problems we face are enormous and I am just one person. Moreover, I am just one 55 year old white woman from the suburbs.  So, I’ve prayed and prayed. I have cried out to God, asking him what I should do. HE has replied, over and over by putting these words on my heart. I am going to share them in several different versions because as I have parked on Micah 6:8, each version has added clarity to my focus. He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (NIV) He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to w
Read more

Sidewalk Chalk, Christmas Lights & Fruit

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV What an amazing passage to being my day! I am reminded to trust in the Lord and promised that because I am planted in HIM, I don’t have to fear circumstances. This passage also makes it my heart’s desire to continue to bear fruit to HIS glory in this season. My heart is truly overflowing as I read these words in Jeremiah.  I felt I had to do something today so my daughter, Carly and I headed outside. Together we covered our driveway with encouraging words and happy images for our neighbors. As we were chalking, we waved at everyone driving past and they returned our waves. Friends, it is the little things! Now, as I type this, my husband is outside stringing up
Read more