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THURSDAY THOUGHT 1/29/09

Try Softer
 
I know people who flog themselves senseless over every weakness, setback and failure.  “Lord, I’ll try harder!  I promise!”  Now, I’m no theologian and I am prone to heresy, but I don’t think that self-flagellating guilt trips are what God has in mind for us.
 
In fact, I think that’s a kind of arrogance to assume we can do it alone.  (Oh, no, one more thing to feel guilty about!)  Seriously, I do believe that God loves us as we are: weak, proud, boastful, annoying, painfully self-defeating, forgiven beyond the right to ask forgiveness, warts and all. 
 
My point:  Let it go.  Don’t keep trying harder.  Instead, try softer.  Drop the rock-filled rucksack of guilt and enjoy this beautiful, burden-free day, this special gift form God.  Most of all, just let God in and let Him love us, forgive us, change us, cherish us.  Ahhhhh!  — jri
 
“After beginning with the spirit, are you
now trying to attain your goal by human
effort?”
        –    St. Paul
               (Galatians 3:3)