Lift the Keys, Ladies!

Forgive and forget. Hmmm...tough words. We Christians readily accept the fact that Jesus forgave us. So why is it difficult for us to forgive others? To forgive ourselves? We have had the absolute best example of selfless love yet we turn away, we rationalize. Why do we do this?

I think we are plain stupid, that's why. OK, I'm making generalizations now; I shouldn't speak for you. How about this? I am plain stupid! I've been asking, seeking, knocking but sometimes I think God just isn't home. Yet, in my heart, I know He never leaves me.

This April I'm turning over one of my many proverbial leaves. I have begun to "approach Jesus in faith," as this Loyola retreat encourages. I know what's confining me. What really is confining you? If you feel you are in a prison, who put up the bars? Did you? Are you your own jail keeper?

Get out. Break out. Be like Otis on The Andy Griffith Show way back when. Remember him? He was characterized as Mayberry's town drunk, slurring his speech and weaving his walk. He always knew he had a place to stay the night when he couldn't possibly go home to his wife in such a condition of inebriation. We always have a place with God - no matter what.

Can't you just picture him locking himself into his jail cell, then dutifully replacing the jail keys dangling from the large silver ring on the hook next to the cell? Come morning, Otis would simply reach for the keys and let himself out. He was a pretty smart guy! He stumbled but knew where to go.

Reach for the keys, moms. Release yourselves from the self-imposed prison. Aren't you ready for something new, "a surprise"? I sure am. This is a new day - a new month. Yesterday is over. The night of your emotional inebriation is past.

Spend time with God today. Walk toward Him right out of your jail.

~ Maureen :)
4/01/09 Jesus' Forgiveness