It has been a while since I've written here, and with good reason - there is so much going on, so much to be said, that I couldn't sort through all of it and figure out what to actually post. ;)
God has really been giving me some wake-up calls lately. It's funny how often we think we are doing the right thing and then we suddenly realize how off-track we truly were! I have been humbled lately, that's for sure, and with good reason. A year ago, I probably wouldn't have realized as quickly what it is that I'm doing wrong, what it is that I'm doing that is offending God. Now I do see it, and it truly hurts when it's all said and done and I realize that I messed up again.
That is where the mercy of God comes in, and I am so grateful for that! He knows we are not perfect, and he doesn't expect us to be. We just have to know when we have done wrong and try to make amends. It does no good to sit there and say, "OK, I was wrong" and then go on our merry way like that's the end of it. If a murderer went up to his victim's family and admitted he did the wrong thing, he doesn't get a handshake and sent on his way. No, there has to be an amendment made in some form. None of us are perfect, God knows this about us even if we refuse to admit it (hehe), but we do have to try our best to live the way He wants us to.
I have been doing a lot of praying (and by a lot, I mean a LOT!) lately and I wish I could tell you how many prayers have been answered in the most unexpected ways! I have learned that God does hear our prayers and that He does answer them in the way that is best for us, which is why I have also learned to be more patient and not expect them to come instantly all the time.
I have also learned that there are those out there who claim to be followers of His word, but prove otherwise in so much that they do. Sometimes I think this is just a sneaky thing on the part of the devil to get us to allow those people into our lives and hearts when there is no (or very little) sincerity in them. They say what you want to hear. They have you figured out from the very start, and they play on that. I am grateful for the strength discernment to know which people are potentially toxic and which people are not. Yes, we are to love all people, but there are some who will put you in a position that compromises your relationship with God, and that isn't something I am willing to do anymore.
God has really been giving me some wake-up calls lately. It's funny how often we think we are doing the right thing and then we suddenly realize how off-track we truly were! I have been humbled lately, that's for sure, and with good reason. A year ago, I probably wouldn't have realized as quickly what it is that I'm doing wrong, what it is that I'm doing that is offending God. Now I do see it, and it truly hurts when it's all said and done and I realize that I messed up again.
That is where the mercy of God comes in, and I am so grateful for that! He knows we are not perfect, and he doesn't expect us to be. We just have to know when we have done wrong and try to make amends. It does no good to sit there and say, "OK, I was wrong" and then go on our merry way like that's the end of it. If a murderer went up to his victim's family and admitted he did the wrong thing, he doesn't get a handshake and sent on his way. No, there has to be an amendment made in some form. None of us are perfect, God knows this about us even if we refuse to admit it (hehe), but we do have to try our best to live the way He wants us to.
I have been doing a lot of praying (and by a lot, I mean a LOT!) lately and I wish I could tell you how many prayers have been answered in the most unexpected ways! I have learned that God does hear our prayers and that He does answer them in the way that is best for us, which is why I have also learned to be more patient and not expect them to come instantly all the time.
I have also learned that there are those out there who claim to be followers of His word, but prove otherwise in so much that they do. Sometimes I think this is just a sneaky thing on the part of the devil to get us to allow those people into our lives and hearts when there is no (or very little) sincerity in them. They say what you want to hear. They have you figured out from the very start, and they play on that. I am grateful for the strength discernment to know which people are potentially toxic and which people are not. Yes, we are to love all people, but there are some who will put you in a position that compromises your relationship with God, and that isn't something I am willing to do anymore.
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
And do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -
by the Divine Power of God -
cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits,
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.
