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Repentance

Well, Christmas time has caused me to be very busy. Alas, I have been away from my computer...but not from my challenge! I've been doing well in guarding my mouth, overall. However, there have been a couple of occasions over this holiday where I have paused to think about what I'm saying. Yep...I have found myself in repentance. Once, I was explaining to someone how a certain person was not the most fun to hang around. I wasn't being mean...I was dipping it in sugar and explaining how I loved them and how they were a great person...but just boring. When I was through giving my opinion, the person I was talking to said, 'Well...I hope you don't talk about me that way when I'm not around." OUCH!!! And touche! Good point, there, friend.

I also found myself sharing something with someone that wasn't necessary to share. As soon as I opened my mouth I knew I had trapped myself in sin. Not gonna sugar coat it. I shouldn't have done it and it sure wasn't done in faith and blessing. Was it true? Yes. Was it just my opinion? No. It was an honest to goodness story about a touchy, painful situation. But, once again...it didn't bring blessing. So, this holiday was spent with a good deal of repenting.

Here is my issue. When talking with this person, I often find myself wondering what to do. They need to talk about some of the things they are going through and I am an ear to listen. The situations are real. They are hard. But, it's not edifying to anyone. We all go through garbage. I understand that people feel like they need to talk about it...to hash it out and process it. But, in all honesty, it becomes a trap. Once you open up the box of talking about your problems, it's sure hard to stop. This is what happened recently...and I jumped in with my two cents. How do you balance this? How do we honestly share our feelings but also keep from complaining? Do we not share our feelings? Do we act like Pollyanna? There is a balance here, I know. Feelings need to be shared. But, I do believe that maturity beckons us to restrain them. This is the Spirit led life: to know when to speak and to know when to remain silent. How can I listen to a friend and not feed their complaining BUT not be so quick to say 'priase the Lord' that I seem to be burying my head in the sand? Wisdom. Point blank. I need more wisdom. This comes from being Spirit led.

So, this is my prayer. Father, Your Spirit is in me, 100%. I yield to You this morning. Give me grace to be led by you in word and dead. Help me silence my own thoughts and give place to your own so that divine wisdom guides my life. Oh, to know and understand You, God! I desire to be yielded to you so completely that your very nature becomes my own. Let kindness grace my lips today and always, Spirit. I love and praise you. You are my source, my life, my song.

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