Excuses we all have them, we all use them. I’d say most days I use excuses
sparingly. However, one would think
these last few weeks I have been using them at every turn. Honestly, if you were able to actually hear
the thoughts roaring through my mind when it has come to this fast you would
probably be disappointed.
“You are pregnant, it’s just a pregnancy craving.”
“I didn’t get any sleep last night, it’s ok if I lost my
cool. I’m not to blame. Sleep deprivation she stripped me of all my
patience. If I wasn’t so tired I
wouldn’t have been short.”
“If he wouldn’t have done ___________________, said
__________________, then I wouldn’t have responded that way.”
“I can’t handle their lack of planning, it’s not my
fault. Why should I bend over backwards
to accommodate them?”
“I don’t feel like cooking, we can just go through the drive
through, I know it’s not really in the budget but it’ll be ok.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t get ______________________ done. I didn’t have time.”
“I’ll just read a scripture on my You version app, that’s
got to count for something right? It’s
better than nothing. Some people don’t
even take the time to read a verse of the day.”
“Here take the ipad a few more minutes an electronic device isn’t going to kill you.”
Excuses. Excuses. Excuses.
I have come to realize excuses run rampant in my life like the moles in
my backyard. (Which by the way is a
serious problem any tips would be gladly welcomed on how to get rid of them.)
I have come to realize, throughout this fast, I live in the
dangerous land of excuses. I yield to
excuses. I don’t exercise self-control,
and I have been in denial for quite some time.
During my fraction of a quiet time this week,
the Holy
Spirit graciously led me to a scripture.
He remained silent. I pondered, re read, pondered some more.
He let the living Word do the work in my
heart.
Romans 6:1-3 MSG
I’m going to be a hundred percent honest in this post. When I read this verse my immediate reaction
was to list several people of which this verse applied! I was not among the list. The really long list had my name nowhere on
it. Love keeps no record of wrong. I am
by default a great score keeper of others wrong. I am a selfish lover of myself. I have no problem of keeping no records of
wrong when it comes to myself. Excusing
my behavior, comparing my sin I justify and ease my hurting heart. I wholeheartedly believe the best in myself
and make excuses after excuses for my sin.
I lavish grace upon my filthy sin ridden heart.
Sisters, ladies, friends this has by far been one of the
hardest weeks for me as I had to take a real hard look at my inward self. I finally humbled myself and like David said,
“Ok. Search me. Reveal to me my inmost
part.” This is not an easy prayer. BUT, can I say in this safe place, “it hurt
so good”.
If you are humble. If
you are willing. Holy Spirit will lead you just as he led Jesus into the
desert. HE will guide you into a new
land, of no excuse but responsibility HE will lead you to place of utter
dependence upon Him alone. He will
correct you, love, and heal you. He will
lovingly wash you clean. A broken heart
and contrite spirit He has yet to deny.
I don't want to go on living in the old country of sin and excuses rather I want to live in the Land of the living, like the Psalmist speaks of in Psalm.
"Yet I am confident I will see the LORD's goodness while I am here in the land of the living."
Psalm 27:13
