Spring Cleaning Your Sins

"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy."

Proverbs 28:13

With sunny days comes the inspiration to spring clean your house and yard. The additional light reveals all the dust, leaves and debris that built up over the dark, lazy winter. While it might be easy to see the telltale signs of neglect around your home, it is often more difficult to pinpoint the sins that surmount on your soul.

Exhaustion and pessimism often go hand-in-hand with unconfessed sins. Perhaps one day you gave in to gossiping about a friend, co-worker, family member or associate. Maybe you got angry and said something you regret. Possibly you lied to your boss about being sick to get a day off. Or your sins could be something else. Everyone has their own faults and makes mistakes.

As human beings, we are subject to sin. This is the reason God sent his only son Jesus. The final error is not in the sin itself but in failing to confess the sin and give it to Him. If you do not release the sin and let it go to Him, you cannot enjoy His forgiveness and mercy.

Recently I was called to confess my own sins. I participate in more than one church for several personal reasons. I was raised a Catholic and my children are getting the same religious education along with activities at another Christian church for a broader perspective.

My daughter made her first reconciliation last Sunday. I had not attended confession in over 12 years. A friend sitting in the pew in front of me admitted she had not gone for 10 years but felt so light and free after a recent confession.

My mom and the religious education coordinator (another friend) encouraged me to confess myself. A traveling, Spanish-speaking priest was present and he looked pleasant and approachable. I remembered him conducting a lovely Spanish mass I attended at our church a couple of years ago so I felt comfortable about talking to him. Visiting our regular pastor felt intimidating and I just wasn't ready.

While of course I wont go into the details of my confession, it was a wonderful experience. Much like everyone said, I felt a great weight lifted from my shoulders after speaking with Jesus through the priest.

The priest was compassionate and understanding. He let me know while he was there to help, I could relieve my burdens and sins directly to Jesus anytime. My "penance" was to take an hour alone at the beach every week to let go of personal burdens in a journal. This was definitely the best "penance" I ever received!

I learned Jesus is there for me whenever I need to let go of the sins of yesterday. I also discovered I felt lighter, freer and more capable once I confessed my sins to Him. The joy of forgiveness and His mercy overcame me and fueled my week in a wonderful way.

Now that spring is here, it's time to spring clean your spirit so you can walk in faith and love again. Are sins and personal burdens dragging you down? Has it been a long time since you admitted your sins to Him? Did you feel relief when you finally gave your sins and burdens to Jesus? Please feel free to comment or post your own thoughts.

Have a beautiful, blessed day!

To Have A Friend, Be A Friend

“A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”

Proverbs 18:24

Are you lonely and wonder why you don't have friends? Do you wait for someone to ring the telephone or knock at your door? Is your mail filled with bills with no letters or cards from special people? Is this how you should gauge friendship?

Imagine if you woke and and thought why don't other people have friends? Are they waiting for someone to ring their phone, knock at their door or send a letter? How can I be a better friend to more people today? Loneliness subsides when we think about being a friend rather than having a friend. Before you know it, you are surrounded by loving friends!

I remember moving into our new neighborhood years ago with two small children. I had no car and didn't know anybody. I did have a double stroller and plenty of energy so I walked everywhere. From the church to the library to the local grocery, we got around and talked to everyone. From thugs with unleashed pitbulls to grouchy grandmas with locked gates, everyone was a possible ally. I voluntered to help whenever needed and brought the little ones along.

Years later, the bus driver we chatted with is our local legislator and a dear friend. Nana opens her gates to give the kids goodies. The thugs smile and tie up their dogs. We weren't afraid to hold doors, listen to problems and watch kids. When we needed to borrow cars, get towed or needed assistance, all the folks were more than happy to offer help.

Recently friends from our old neighborhood bought a house in our new neighborhood to start a family. They are eager to make friends so I offered to introduce them around. I asked about their neighbors and got a negative reaction. When I probed to see if they actually talked to their neighbors, it didn't seem they knew them very well.

Sometimes we base our opinions about people on “how they look”. That doesn't really give us a clear picture of who they are. People have all different appearances and preferences but most have something good to offer when you find it. It's amazing how people see the good in you, too, when you recognize it in them. When we gaze with a judgmental eye we tend to jeopardize potential friendships.

It's a dangerous world we live in today and certainly people must exercise caution both in person and online. On the other hand, most friends start as strangers. We must have faith to make friends and remember throughout our journey, Jesus is our friend and guiding light. If you don't take the risk to be a friend, you won't enjoy the love and support of having friends.

Are you lonely and want to make friends? Do you bring people together as friends through your own special actions? Did the love of Jesus help you to make more friends through giving from your heart? Please feel free to comment or write your own post at Gathering 4 Jesus.

Have a beautiful, blessed day!

He Intercedes For Us

"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."

Romans 8:26

There are many times we suffer from infirmities beyond our control. These ailments may involve our bodies, minds or spirits. At times we might feel unable to even put into words how we feel and how we want to feel.

At these moments, the Spirit intercedes. He already knows what we need based on His divine plan. Suddenly we feel lighter, better able to face whatever lies ahead. A simple prayer for His intercession is all we need to do. Everything else is up to Him.

This takes away stress and worry, which are actually a lack of faith. If we believe He will be there, everything is worry-free because it is in His capable hands. This applies to all types of illnesses and ailments. Emotional breakdowns, mental illness, spiritual confusion, personal anguish and physical disabilities can all be given to Him.

In an emergency situation, we often cannot utter a word other than to help us. We are giving it to Him at that moment. My first pregnancy was high-risk and I didn't know what to expect. I was in the delivery room on New Year's Day with a strange doctor and an inexperienced dhoula in labor for several hours. Suddenly my heart and the baby's heart were in serious danger. An emergency C-section had to be performed.

In the rush, too much anesthesia was administered. I discovered two years later when I had my daughter the surgery was seriously botched. I knew my baby and I were suffering and kept praying to Him to help us. I was too weak to say anything else as I went in and out of consciousness.

Thankfully, I made it through to have a healthy, happy son. I knew it was His intercession as everyone else made every possible mistake. He is there doing whatever is needed to carry out His divine plan despite the errors of others.

Beyond health problems, He is there to intercede at all times. Homelessness, joblessness and distress are all real problems many of us have faced. He is there to lead us to a new destiny of hope and fulfillment in another way.

Are you suffering and giving it to Him? Did you ever ask for His intercession when you were unable to find any words? Does the Spirit take over when all other parts of you are weak? Feel free to comment about it.

Have a beautiful, blessed day!

Keep On Giving And Jesus Keeps On Blessing You

"Give, and it shall be given unto you: good measure, pressed down, and shake together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."

Luke 6:38

Sometimes we wonder if we are "giving too much". A recent bout with my health condition over the past few days made me reconsider how much I was giving and whether I should be doing it. Perhaps I was feeling a bit sorry for myself which is never a good thing.

I prayed to Jesus to give me strength and show me the way. Everyone started to give in abundance. My husband went above and beyond to handle his tasks and mine. He found a solution a financial problem we had without my assistance. When I told him to slow down, he replied, "You never do and it has to be done."

My children were automatic. From shoveling snow to getting water to rubbing my head, they were right there at every moment. When I told them it was alright, they should just go play and enjoy themselves, they said, "But Mom this is what you do for us and it makes us feel good."

Friends called and stopped by because the had not seen me for a few days. A neighbor offered to drive my children to the bus stop today. A couple of the neighborhood kids offered to help clean up the snow. When I questioned why, they said, "You always have us over and are nice to us."

The mail came and I was overwhelmed again. I received two packages of products to review. If that wasn't enough, my mom sent a loving letter and enclosed some cash. She knows when I am sick I cannot work which means I'm not making money. Within a couple of weeks, that causes a financial crisis in my house. Her letter and generosity reminded me never to worry in the face of illness or adversity.

I laid in bed and started crying. What did I do to deserve all this kindness? It brought me right back to wondering if I give too much when I feel my best. I turned to the Bible for answers and opened up to the passage above.

I realized there is no such thing as "giving too much". When we give unconditionally from the heart, it is always the right thing to do. I tend to give first and think about it later just because it feels right. Jesus blesses us by giving back to us in abundance when we need it most. I suddenly understood the meaning behind "give and it shall be given unto you".

Although my body is still weak, I am filled with love from Jesus and all his blessed ambassadors here on earth. That love gave me the energy to get up today and move from the bed to the sofa. I am feeling better every hour because loving each other and prayer really works.

When you give from your heart without expecting anything in return, blessings are returned to you in abundance. When you have the urge to give, never stop yourself or wonder if you are giving too much. Just keep giving and good things will come back to you.

Are you the kind of person that keeps on giving? Did you ever second guess yourself and wonder if you "give too much"? Have you felt the blessing of being a giver when Jesus unexpectedly showered blessings on you in abundance? Please feel free to comment about it.

Have a beautiful, blessed day!

The Body Is Weak But The Spirit Is Strong

"For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day."

II Corinthians 3:16-17

After a rough couple of days and nights, I finally got to open my Bible a little while ago. I was faithful something would jump off the page for me to find comfort and guidance. Sure enough, the first passage I opened up to reminded me the body is weak but the spirit is strong.

I have Epstein Barr/CFS. I formally found out almost 3 years ago but I'm sure I suffered with this for a much longer time. For months, I do well and feel able to handle the tasks at hand. Suddenly a feeling of exhaustion and nausea sweeps over my body from seemingly nowhere, leaving every muscle in my body aching for days with a dull headache.

To be honest, I was feeling sorry for myself then frustrated earlier today. Why does this have to happen now? I realized there is never a "good time" to feel sick. How come there is such limited information about these ailments? Progress is being made and good things take time to happen. In moments, I shot down all my excuses.

After getting sick a few more times, my body started to settle down. I rested for awhile then decided the Bible would give me a better perspective on everything. I felt better when I realized my spirit is strong even if my body is feeling weak.

We have the golden opportunity to renew our spirits everyday through the healing grace of Jesus Christ. I also realized having Epstein Barr/CFS was a silent blessing in an offbeat way. I always worked too hard and too long. I always dreamed of writing for a living but choose to work more "practical jobs". Having this illness actually changed my life and lead to blessings.

It also makes me think more about my health. I used to eat junk food and suck down coffee all day. With my high energy level, I burned off the calories. Now my body has slowed down and I only want to feed myself good things because I feel so much better.

So I've dug myself out of the feel-sorry-for-me funk to renew myself in Jesus. The body is still weak but my spirit is so much stronger. Thank you Jesus for shining your healing light on me today.

I also want to thank all my dear Gather friends for their kind words and prayers. When I got up, I checked the post right away and everyone gave me the boost I needed to open my Bible and go on. Each and everyone of you is a special blessing from God in your own unique way, too, even if you experience physical suffering everyday.

Do you suffer from a physical condition that makes you feel unable to function? Does it make you feel "sorry for yourself" sometimes? Have you found the healing grace of Jesus to uplift your spirits and health during those difficult moments? Please feel free to comment about it.

Have a beautiful, blessed day!