Hubby called me about 11AM yesterday morning to come and pick him up - which I did. Was thinking about stopping for fast food on the way home and take it with us, but got a call from my daughter that she had some things for me that she wanted to drop off. She asked about hubby and when I told her we were on our way home, she offered to stop and pick up fast food for us and bring - to which I said OK! It was nice not to have that additional stop. Hubby is doing well and told me again last night how appreciative he was that I would stay all day at the hospital and being with him. It was nice that he acknowledged that I was there for him. We had a quiet afternoon; he went to do his quiet time, and I went back to work. He even heated up our food for dinner!! I can't remember the last time he did that! Granted, we had 'tv dinners', but he heated them up for both of us.
Yesterday was an interesting day at work. My one boss (male) asked if he could call me yesterday morning, and I said 'sure', and he did. He shared about him being called on the 'red carpet' and his frustration of people not being clear on what they want from him, and then when he focuses on one area, they tell him its the wrong one. I let him 'spill it out', encouraged him, and scheduled a 7:30AM meeting this morning for him to meet with his boss to discuss this more. Not sure that his plans of telling his boss (and put it on paper) of all that he does do, without help, is the right path to take, but he is a lot smarter than me, so maybe it is. Don't know that I would do much different though. Don't we, when someone says we don't do anything, begin creating a list to show all that we do?
I can remember when hubby and I had this discussion a long, long time ago as to what does he do. He doesn't want us to have this conversation now, but back then, he actually was doing some things. What he did, though, was create a list, and he would write down from this time to this time he did this. And from this time to this time he did that. Oh my goodness. I remember laughing at him - which didn't go over well at all - but who does that? I don't have to prove my worth to anyone. Nor does he. But we need to be able to give a good report of each other. If he sees I'm not doing something he thinks I need to do, he needs to speak it to me in love, and let me either decide to take care of that issue or explain the purpose of what I was doing. And the same with him. I wasn't asking for an itemized list. I was asking that I see the results of the things he said he was doing. Now, he admits he doesn't do anything except laundry and any dishes we dirty up. And bringing me coffee in the mornings. We have house cleaners come in once a month because he doesn't clean the house as he promised me he would. Ah.... enough of that... not complaining... just a rambling of the mind of the example of what we do to justify what we don't do.
My lesson this morning was on the subject of repentance. How would you answer this question? "How often do you think a person must repent to be in a right relationship with God?" 1) Only once, when the person believes in Christ for salavation. 2) During special church services when others are resonding to God. 3) Daily, in order to keep a clean slate before God. 4) At salvation and anytime thereafter that God convicts the person of sin.
Did you know that an attitude of repentance is crucial in our initial coming to Christ for salvation? To become a Christian involves repenting - which means turning away from an old way of life and turning to Christ for forgiveness and salvation. Yet, our repentance doesn't end there. We need that same attitude in our ongoing relationship with God. As Christians, we will still be tempted to do the things we have always done in sin. We've been given a desire to change, but sometimes in these temptations to return to our old ways, we give in. But we have also been given a new nature to desire to turn away from those things we did before. The inclination of those who truly belong to Him will be to humbly confess and forsake sin whenever we are confronted with it in our lives.
Back in the 1970's there was a revival in Romania. The Christians there were called 'Repenters'. Why? Because they repented from all forms of alcohol and lying to their employers. Yep. That's what they repented from, I guess they over indulged in alcohol and lied to their employers. And it doesn't matter WHAT sin we do, it is still a sin when God touches our hearts and we feel a need to turn away from it. I'm not saying drinking is wrong. God doesn't say drinking is wrong. His word says to not get drunk.
Repentance is for Christians as well as non-Christians. In other words, 'once a repenter, always a repenter'. God often brings to mind things that I need to change, or to ask forgiveness for. It may be a sharp word to someone. Or I ignored someone. Or I neglected to do what I said I would do. I've had to repent to God many times, and I imagine I will need to repent many more times before I die. Why do I do it? Because I want to be with Jesus. Repenting keeps Jesus as my focus and my desire to be like Him. Only Jesus was pure and holy and without sin.
When King David was confronted of his sin with Bathsheba, he wrote Psalm 51. I read it frequently, and allow God to speak to me. I hope you do as well.
Psalm 51:1-17 (NIV) "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise."
Become a repenter. You won't regret it.
Blessings!
