Regret and Redemption (Surrendering With All)

The instant the words left my mouth, I wanted to stuff them back in. More sharp words to cut into the hearts of those I love.

There really were no reasons for my harsh remarks besides exhaustion and frustration over things completely separate from the activities of the moment. Those few hasty comments overshadowed four days overflowing with family, laughter, and love.

Wasn’t it less than a week ago I vowed to zip my lips and exercise self-control when threatening to lash out–to do the wise and gracious thing and discuss the issues rationally at a later time?

But isn’t that just like us? Don’t we do what we don’t want to repeatedly? And honestly, how can we help but fail? I’m not excusing my reactions, but it shouldn’t surprise me.

I promise, expect, and then become disappointed when I don’t deliver. I want to demonstrate love to my loved ones. Yet, how can I?

None of us can ever hope to completely erase our sinful tendencies, our self-righteous bent, on our own. Our vows and good intentions mean little when not backed by something much more powerful than us.

Thankfully, God has given us that power in the gift of the Holy Spirit. However, we have to be open to His leading.

In order to live love (instead of just speaking it), we have to engage the strength, wisdom, and guidance of the Holy Spirit. We must allow the Spirit to take over our mind, heart, and soul. Only opening up our heart to His leading, or our thoughts, or even just our soul is not sufficient to transform us. We need to surrender in all areas. We need a complete renewal.

We will continue to fail. We can count on it. As long as we walk on this earth, we will continue to fall short of perfection.

Yet, through the Lord’s grace, changes in our actions will happen when we are willing to live a life more in the Spirit than in the flesh. (←Tweet this!)

“He said to him, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and most important commandment.” (Matthew 22: 27)

Share in the Discussion: Have you struggled with surrendering as I have–only turning over one or two areas of your life to the Holy Spirit’s leading? Are you still trying to live a worthy life through your own power? 

Thank you for your understanding and grace as I took some time off to spend with family last week. Hope your days were as blessed as mine.

Linking with Ann Voskamp for my Joy Dare list  for Multitude Mondays (#1203–1223, read them all by clicking here):

• Dirt-stained pants; Four chapters written through the grace of God; Simple gift of bare branches)
• Daniel & roommate home safely from college; Dense fog–eerily beautiful; House cleaned & decorated for Thanksgiving
• Jet flying in a clear blue sky; Bald eagle soaring over the lake; Those conversations while dishwashing
• Day spent giving thanks with family; Baby sweetness; Delicious food, with multiple pie choices
• Working alongside boys to get candy & cookies made; Serving my family w/ big post-Thanksgiving meal; Christmas music
• Entire family together for wkend (parents, siblings & their families); Coyote running on the road; Soups & sandwiches
•  Silly, wonderful 6-yr-old language; Joy of gifting; Seeing neice, after more than a year, and meeting her fiance

By His grace ≈

Julie

Ann’s linkup will be live on Tuesday this week

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