A Crystal Clear Cleansing

He's been working like a crazy man these days.  But what else is new.  Determined he is and there's no stopping him now.  He gets like that when there's a goal to reach.  Tunnel visioned and fully absorbed, he's all about taking care of the business at hand. 

 

 

 

Power washer dragged out of hiding, it's up and running loud, hard spray attacking the accumulated moss glued to roof shingles, loose paint on front stairsteps, and mildew on porch railings, gutters, and that side of the house that gets no sun. 

And then he tackles the windows' sheer surfaces, and a year's worth of storm-driven filth and spring's bountiful greenish pollen is thoroughly washed and squeegeed away.

 

 

 

And I can't help but think that this delayed spring cleaning task is simply a reflection of what's too easily true about the state of our souls.  Busily absorbed in the dailyness that defines our routines, a slow fade can so easily occur.  And untended to, our innermost beings can so easily head south, a build up of sin's filth gathering around our hardened hearts, numbing us to the warm sunlight of our Savior's holy presence.

 

 

And this, the importance of a daily walk with Jesus becomes crystal clear.  The need for close examination, the call for a power-filled heart cleansing, the asking for and receiving of His forgiveness, a fresh start, a gracious empowering to reflect His light to a watching world. 

 

 

Kind of like those power-washed surfaces and newly scrubbed windows, sparkling clear and bright in this morning's sun.

==>  I'll see you over at Kristen's and Emily's

31 Days of Awesome Relationships : : Day 16 : : 3 Words Your Teen Longs to Hear

Can you guess what they are? 

The three simple words that your teen yearns to hear straight from your lips, your heart?

 

Clue - they're not what you think ...

John Trent's all about Strong Families.  And in a recent issue of Christian Counseling Connection, this wise counselor writes, 'My friend, Dr. Joe White, is the head of Kanakuk Kamps in Branson, Missouri.  Each summer, thousands of teenagers attend these incredible camps.  A few years ago, Joe had his staff give each camper a survey.  On it was one simple question: 'What would you most like to hear from your parents?'

The answer to that question from several thousand high school students surprised the staff.  In writing the survey, they were all but certain that the vast majority of teens would say they wanted to hear three words, 'I love you.'  However, that response came in a distant second.  What was first? 

It was three words, all right, but these three, 'I am sorry.'

Tough words for a parent, grandparent, spouse or co-worker to say, but wonderful if we are serious about being people who 'untie' knots and build strong families ...'

Powerful food for thought.  I'd add three more. 

'Will you forgive me?'

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* photo by Tapas Biswas

 



Choosing It

"Those who forgive are those who choose to forgive. There's nothing automatic, unintentional, or happenstance about forgiveness.

It is a choice and an act of the will.

Those who choose to forgive are those who decide to give up resentment and the desire to punish. They have a willingness to relinquish all claims to exact a penalty for an offense. They actually cancel the debt they believe another person owes them.

Forgiveness enables a person to release buried anger, resentment, bitterness, shame, grief, regret, guilt, hate, and other toxic emotions that hide deep in the soul and make a person ill - both emotionally and physically. A permeating sense of peace that blankets a person's entire being commonly accompanies the cathartic act of true forgiveness." - Colbert

Choose to release yourself from the bondage of unforgiveness ~
Linda

"Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you" - Colossians 3:13 (The Message).

Taking the Difficult Road

The need to extend forgiveness is such a huge burden being borne by many of the people I talk with. Very few "presenting problems" include "I need to forgive someone." But more times than not, it's not long into the conversation before it's fairly obvious to both counselor and counselee that there are some forgiveness issues that need to be dealt with that are causing grief, pain, anxiety, anger, fear, depression, and a whole host of obstacles to healthy, joy-filled living.

Anne Jackson talks about forgiveness and reconciliation in a recent post. Her musings are well worth reading, and I would encourage you to take the time to read through the dialogue that follows to get a feel for what people are struggling with. Chances are you won't have to read too far before you'll come across something that resonates deeply within your own life experience.

Bottom line?

Until I forgive, that person still wields some sort of power over me, calls the shots in my life, and nudges Jesus from His rightful place on the throne. He alone is the only One who has the right to powerfully impact the deepest part of who I am.

Reconciliation?

That's another story. That usually takes time. And that's ok. Jesus said that "by their fruits you'll recognize them" {Matthew 7:16}. Some people are not safe for us to be around - they cause us emotional, mental, spiritual, or physical damage because they, themselves are not healthy and whole.

For others, the journey to reconciliation might be 3 steps forward, 2 steps back. The most important thing is that we can stand before God, agreeing with the Apostle Paul when he wrote, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" {Romans 12:17}.

Isn't it time to allow the Holy Spirit to mend your hurting soul? To release the perpetrator who has brought you such great heartache - and still controls you in so many ways? To choose to take the difficult road toward forgiveness?

Just as Jesus did as He traversed that long, horrific path to Calvary.

Forgiveness? Reconciliation? It probably won't be easy. But it can be done. He showed us how to do it.

I know it's possible.

Been there, done that. More than once.

Linda

Bitter Roots

How would people describe you? Would they say that you're aggressive? Controlling? Self-righteous?

Do critical, unkind, and sarcastic remarks define your responses to life? Does unbidden resentment ooze out of your tone of voice? Do a string of conflicted relationships lie in your wake?

Bitterness. The Bible says that "out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:24). It's not about our words and how we react to what comes our way. It's about unfinished business deep in our souls.

And the sad truth is "a bitter root yields bitter fruit." And untended, those bitter roots grow relentlessly and "defile many" (Hebrews 12:15). And if we were to be really honest and allow the Holy Spirit to shine His light deep into our souls, we'd have to admit that there are roots there that are ugly, twisted, deeply enmeshed. The Bible says that "the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked" (Jeremiah 17:9). These roots are what's true about us without the Spirit's active presence. They define who we are without Christ.

But God is not content to leave us where we are! He loves us too much and continues to beckon us to be more like Christ. And He helps us, by His Spirit, to continue to head in that direction.

Perhaps it's time to grapple with some long-neglected pain you've been hauling around. To finally confront some deep anguish of the soul that's preventing you from living a joy-filled, healthy life. To wrestle with some forgiveness issues that must be tended to. To begin to respond to this defect of the heart that many of us attempt, always unsuccessfully, to hide ...

Let's begin to cooperate with God in digging out those roots that are strangling our souls and marring our testimonies ~

Linda

Isn't It Time?

Something happened a long time ago. Truth be told, you probably can't remember the details. But the resulting disconnect, severed ties, and estrangement has left a tender wound that has never quite healed.

Isn't it time to begin the journey toward forgiveness? To take the path of re-connection? We only have so much energy given to us each day. Do you really want to expend what little you have on resentment, regret, anger, hurt, and bitterness?

I've spent the last four days working with families where terminal illness has hit home. I am in awe of their determination to live well. My admiration for them knows no bounds. These incredible, courageous men and women have reminded me again about the importance of loving connections. The power of spoken affirmation and appreciation. Cherishing the simplest of joys ... and creating priceless memories that will impact the next generation.

There's simply no time to waste on stupid pride or nursing useless, foolish grudges. Most of them have figured out that looking backwards and wringing their hands at what might have been is a colossal waste of valuable energy. There's no time for regrets. Every moment received is a gift of priceless value. And they know it.

So, please read on to discover how a health crisis can force us to evaluate what's really of value. And then make the choice to take that first difficult step toward the healing of old wounds. No - you probably won't forget, but it is possible, by God's grace and strength, to begin the journey toward forgiveness.

Let's face it, we really have no idea of what tomorrow will bring ...

"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you"
- Colossians 3:13.

Forgiven ~
Linda