Time To RESET!

We're at the halfway mark of the year; June. Summer is officially five days away and I'm looking at my list of "Things To Do For 2013" and feeling very behind schedule! Here it is June and this is the first post to my blog?!!!

Hold up! Wait a minute! I'm NOT going down that path! I'm already sore from a nasty back spasm I endured a few days ago. I'm  not going to add insult to injury and start beating up on myself! Woo-Saa!

Ok, here's what I've decided to do. I'm going to sort through my various journals and writings and start posting the ones that are really ministering to me right now. As I go through what I'm calling a "Grace Makeover" it has helped me to count my blessings and spend more time with the Lord. That always helps but sometimes I wonder why we drag our feet to do it? Today's post is from July 2009. If I had known that 4 months later I'd be burying my husband would I'd have had a different outlook?  My perspective has definitely changed since then but today, 4 years later, I found comfort in this post. I pray you will too.

July 2009
I had coffee with the Lord this morning. As I sipped mine, I reflected on the choices I had made the day before and my biggest regret was that I hadn't spent any time with Him. I thought about it, but got distracted and did something different. Which made my time with the Lord this morning a little less joyful because I spent a lot of that time apologizing. Is this what God wants?

I don't think so, do you?

Guilt becomes a barrier that prevents warm interaction between your Creator and you. God is light. When I spend time with Him, I am in the light also. His light is warmng and is comforting like a big bowl of mashed potatoes swimming in butter! His light comforts and heals like a soft blanket. Spending quality time with my Lord gives me direction for the day and guidance for my life. Why would I want to miss the best part of my day?

Because we don't want to feel guilty or ashamed.

We usually shy away from things that don't make us feel good. We count up our poor choices and assume that God gets some kind of a crazy pleasure in telling us how bad we are.  He doesn't.

What our Father God does is open our eyes to help us see ourselves as He sees us and the first thing He sees is love and love, the bible says, makes us not ashamed.  Think about it. When we embrace God's love and forgiveness, instead of shame and guilt, we're more likely to go out and make better choices. Guilt and shame leads us to sabatoging our efforts and making the same poor choices again. It becomes a very discouraging cycle.

Here's some good news...

We can chage the cycle! Today, make a different choice. It doesn't have to be something spectacular. As you think about the changes you'd like to see in your life, what's some small thing you can do that points you in the right direction? Don't measure this "small something" by how far it gets you down the road. Feel good that you've done something that gets you on the right road, going in the right direction! Ultimately, you will get where you need to go.

Here's something else you need to know...

You're not alone on that road. Walk with the Lord today. Do you need forgiveness for something you've done? OK, let's fix that now....  Father we come before you now thanking you that when we ask for forgiveness, you give it...

Everytime! Here's what I'm asking you to forgive me of __________________

Lord thank you for forgiving me and I'm especially grateful that you're not going to give this another thought so why should I? I am forgiven! Amen!
Alright! Are you smiling? Are you feeling better? You should be. You just touched the Father's heart. He loves it when His kids come to Him. Today is the day that the Lord has made... I'm going to rejoice and be glad in it. Join me!