Baby Steps

This morning Pastor Robert talked about how Jesus is merciful and sympathetic towards us because He too, has been tempted and suffered on this earth. Towards the end of the sermon he told us that we live in a fallen world full of temptation, with legions of demons trying to destroy us. Then he paused and said, "You are doing better than you think you are." Immediately in my mind, I argued with him. No we're not, I thought. Actually we are all probably worse than we think we are.

This afternoon, after church, I received in a round about long-story way a corrective criticism. As usual, I felt hurt and offended. Minutes later, as I was outside helping build our deck, I realized that I had to and wanted to respond differently this time. I realized how sick I was of being offended. So I thought, you know, what she said is so true. If I would take to heart what she said, I would be a better person. I bet 20 times in the next half hour I would begin to feel upset in my stomach and I would make my spirit tell my soul, "She is right, you know, take it to heart, and let it make you a better person." The last time I was telling myself that, I was standing still holding a post straight and I clearly heard the Lord speak to my heart and say, "You are doing better than you think you are." How unbelievably merciful and loving my Savior is to me. When I am fed up with myself, He is still loving me. He sees my ridiculously slow baby steps and countless falls and reaches out His incredible arms of grace and embraces my heart that is so full of doubt and shame and whispers that He loves me. I am overwhelmed.