Attack of the "Guilts"

Hi everyone....

My goal was to make a batch of brownies for my husband, and they were harder than molten lava. Instant guilt. I made up my mind to organize my office from top to bottom, and I failed miserably. Instant guilt. How about my daily quiet time? Or my exercise routine? Or my promise to stay away from anything chocolate? Instant guilt.

Ah, I know I am not alone in my battle with the "guilts." They rear their ugly head from time to time. I am a recovering "people pleaser," so the enemy really knows my Achilles heel: my constant need to please others. And guess what happens when I do not live up to other people's or my sometimes crazy expectations? You got it. GUILT. Mercy.

Wives, moms, singles, single moms, women who work outside or inside the home, retired women - it does not matter what stage of life we are in. Culture has fed us the lie that we have to "do it all" and do it well at all times. Whew! I get tired just thinking about it. And when we do not live up to society's view of how we should be, we feel dejected and defeated.

One of the most freeing verses my Christian counselor gave me years and years ago is this gem:

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death."

--Romans 8:1-2

How is that for freeing? Christ does not condemn us because through His blood, He has set us free from sin and death if we accept Him as our Blessed Savior. Christ is already pleased with us, so we do not have to kill ourselves trying to be perfect. We just have to abide in Him, and He will abide in us. 

Are you tired of guilt being a constant visitor? Jesus came so we can be set free of guilt. Cast all of your burdens on Him because He loves you so much!

Blessings,

Lara <><

Come Follow Me Today

Happy Friday everyone!

Today, I am guest blogging on Kim Sorgius' site Not Consumed.  Kim has been doing an awesome series about Walking Through The Fire with a friend on a variety of topics. Today, I am blogging about walking with a friend who is battling an eating disorder. I drew from my years and years of being held hostage to anorexia nervosa and depression and how people in my life walked me through that fire.

Just click on the "Walking a Friend Through The Fire" link below, have a cup of coffee or tea, and read away! :-) Thanks for visiting.

Blessings,
Lara <><

I Can See Clearly Now

Good Tuesday Morning!

We all have parts of our body that work better than others, right? For me, my eyes are a problem. I come by that genetically as my parents both have eye issues. My mom, my two aunts and my grandfather have glaucoma, and my parents have both had cataract surgeries. The minute I turned 40, I got bifocals, and when you catch me outside, I can promise you I will be the girl squinting  because of my intense light sensitivity. Very "Mr. MaGoo-ish!" :-)

All this background being said, I have to have this procedure called a Laser Iridotomy this Thursday. My doctor has to laser a hole the size of a pinhead in both of my eyes to allow the aqueous fluid to drain off better. This will help ward off glaucoma, and that makes me happy! Slap-happy, actually! :-)

Preparing for this procedure made me think of Paul's encounter with Jesus Christ. When Jesus appeared to Paul on the Damascus Road, He blinded Paul with His light, asking him why he was persecuting him. Can you imagine being completely blinded in an instant? I wonder what was going through Paul's head? Let's see what the Word says next in this fascinating account:

"The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything ... Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, 'Brother Saul, the Lord - Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here - has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.' Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again (emphasis mine). He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength." (Acts 9:7-9, 17-19)

When we allow Jesus into our hearts, He gives us new life! New soul ... even new eyes to see His Kingdom the way He wants us to see it. My prayer for all of us is that we would ask Jesus to open our eyes to Him because He alone is our Savior. What a friend we have in Him!

Blessings,
Lara <><

P.S. My new blog is being constructed right now by Jami Leigh at Fount of Inspiration! Check out her website at www.fountofinspiration.com.  I will let you all know when this blog will be going down and the new one will go up. YAY!!