Sunday, April 5, 2009

HE LOVED US WITH A CROSS

A SWEET LITTLE CHURCH...SOMEWHERE

For over a year now the Lord has been working on me in some specific areas of personal growth. He’s been whittling down that self-will of mine while gently bringing into the light my unspoken weaknesses. Wow…I really hate being exposed! Even so, I know this must take place so I will become more dependent upon Him. Gosh~ and do we even have to talk about how JUDGMENTAL I can be about things? I’ve always been pretty bad about forming fairly quick opinions and then carelessly allowing them to spill out of my mouth! I know we all make mistakes and I’ve made tons during my lifetime and I’m going to continue to make many more before I leave this planet. Still, I know in my heart it would behoove me to remember that I am not unique in my imperfections, for the Word of God tells us we are all sinners in need of grace, strugglers in need of strength… I mean, Jesus DOES teach (instruct) us to pray “Forgive our debts…and lead us not into temptation.”

I’ve heard it said many times during my life that “the line that separates the best of us from the worst of us is a narrow one”. I believe this is true. With today being Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday only seven more days away, I’ve spent some time this week reflecting on the Cross. For me it is a symbol of courage and hope…forgiveness, sacrifice and most of all, LOVE.

Pride and Shame get heavy when you lug them around for a long time. So does anger, bitterness, blame, resentment, hatred and un-forgiveness. We strap those bad-boys upon our backs hoping if we carry them far enough they will one day justify our behavior and our choices. It is a constant, on-going struggle of mine to leave my burdens at the base of the Cross…even though I know in my heart the ONLY place they will ever be lifted is right there...Calvary.

“God placed upon him the wrong who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God.” II Corinthians 5:31 MSG

Blessings to you as He works a miracle in your life…Rebecca

4 comments:

Candy said...

Thanks for stopping by today and it makes me smile to know my simple thoughts have touched you.
Don't know how your website could be any more lovely...soft, precious, and happy. Looking forward to viewing your new things.
Blessings, Candy

Southern Lady's Vintage said...

What a beautiful sentiment to share this day Rebecca. May we all become less of ourselves as our Lord fills us with more of Him. Blessings,
Barbara

Anonymous said...

The Father blesses us each and everyday ! Thank you for that post!
mary
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Anonymous said...

I too have had to learn to let things roll of my back. Some from childhood, which have been the hardest and still challenge me heavily, & some more recent. I react in a moment in my mind then find my way out by giving myself options & possible outcomes to each way I want to react. This usually helps guide me to a more christian like attitude. It's not a perfect solution but one that is working for me.

The cross for me has always been about my celestial parents in waiting. As you know, I lost both of my parents & much of my family at 8 years young. I had a lot to overcome (and still do many days). I found it very difficult to accept the events in my life & the news of eternal life here after. I was probably in my late 30's when I finally accepted without question or Our Father, the Lord Jesus Christ & my Spiritual Advisor, the Holy Ghost. I weakly followed & half heartedly believed what could be through them.

I was rocked by emotional devastation two years ago by a multitude of happenings all at once. I was in a very dark place and could see no reason to believe it could ever be better. I began to return to my 12 stepping daily readings which lead to my inspirational readings and then my biblical readings. Through finding my way back I realized I wasn't all that lost. Just... stubborn & angry. I was hurt. I've learned to view my pain as far less than He who gave so much so we could carry so little just by laying it down. This is my Easter blessing this year. I've learned through Christ to lay it down, let it go & rise up from it which means to burden me.

Thank you Rebecca for sharing with us & thank you for allowing me to share with you.

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