Thursday, September 16, 2010

We are More

I am 45(!) years old now and sometimes I still struggle with forgiving myself for things done and choices made when I was a much younger, weaker...sadder girl.  Now I can think of a couple of things I did today that required some confession and Divine mercy, but interestingly, and I think probably tragically, my biggest struggles with guilt and shame come from things long forgiven by my Father and mostly forgotten by everyone else.  Satan knows just how to knock the wind right out of me.  

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade
.

It's hard to always recognize such feelings as a lack of faith and understanding of what Christ did for me.  He did not die for me so that I would live stuck in my own guilt!  Getting out of my own way and allowing Christ to use me as He sees fit is one of the biggest struggles I face in my Christian walk. 

This is not about what you've done,
But what's been done for you.
This is not about where you've been,
But where your brokenness brings you to.

 This is not about what you feel,
But what He felt to forgive you,
And what He felt to make you loved
.

Anyway, as I was driving this afternoon a song came on the radio that I hadn't heard before.  The words resonated with me and I thought I would share them with you.  I know I'm not alone.  We all have failed.  We all have things in our pasts that make us sad to remember...And quite probably some of us are right now in the middle of a big mess and feel hopeless and useless.

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.*

I can promise you, this, though - 

None of us who are in Christ are hopeless.  He IS our Hope :) and He desires to use us, broken & messy, to do His work - for His glory. 

Isn't He wonderful?  I just love Him so much!

Happy Thursday!
Renee

(*You are More, Tenth Avenue North)

8 comments:

Lauren said...

1. I love that you have a blog.
2. Thank you for that wonderful encouragement... it was just what I needed to hear!
3. Love you!

Renee said...

Hi Lauren!
1. Thanks for leaving me a comment. I'm such a nerd - it made me so happy to see your name pop up :)
2. I'm glad I was encouraging to you this morning. That song is actually a catchy little tune - look it up on YT if ya want to hear it. I would have posted a link but I was lazy and didn't wannna.
3. I hope you have a great evening.
4. I love ya sooo much!

Building Walls said...

This is an awesome post. Seriously... thanks for sharing this! I'm soooooooooooooooo glad that you're bloggin... FINALLY!!! :) :) Love you lots!

Beth Simmons said...

I didn't know you had a blog Renee! I only found it because Darlene put a note on your FB. I'm glad she did because she's right! You are a great writer. I am such a poor writer that I'm almost afraid to leave a comment! Thank you for this post. Oh how I need to be reminded of this. Often:)

the mcquiddys said...

Wonderfully written. And oh so encouraging. :) Thank you!

Renee said...

Ok seriously, I have no idea how this commenting thing works. If I reply to your comment do you ever know I replied? This makes me a little stressed until I figure it out. For the moment I'm going to pretend you see it, okey dokey?

Mary I love you more than pepsi on ice. Thanks for encouraging me all. the. time.

Beth, thank you so much for your kind words. I was actually quite surprised you found me so quickly... I've just started & haven't said much about it so far. I love that you found me :)

Kristin, Kristin... I have had so much fun recently following your blog. You've always been so special to me...I LOVE seeing my girls all grown up and birthin' their own babies :) I'm praying for you and your little family - have a great week!

Mary @ Giving Up On Perfect said...

Satan DOES know how to knock the wind out of us, doesn't he? I hate that. This post is so encouraging, and a great reminder to come back to every single time I forget. Thank you!

(Visiting from The Gypsy Mama!)

Lisa-Jo Baker said...

Some days when I have the song of defeat on repeat in my head I go back to the ones my kids know by heart, "Jesus loves me this I know.." And that's it really, isn't it? He does. He loves us. He knows us AND he loves us.

And I'm just as amazed and encouraged as you!

Thank you for sharing,

~Lisa-Jo

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