Restoration

At the core of all restoration lie repentance and confession of sin. If I feel sorry that another is wrong and confess how badly I'm treated, not much restoration will occur. Restoration requires a complete change of my mind, so that I'm willing to look at myself and admit my wrongdoing and my need of help. ~Upper Room, December 9, 2007

I always find it interesting that the "timing" of devotionals works so well with the "timing" of my life. Now I don't typically read The Upper Room, but today I happened upon it and it really caught my eye.

I've emerged from my time of retreat with a changed heart, one that has been thoroughly examined. What the LORD showed me in my time with Him was a heart that had become in many ways too religious and lacking "real" spiritual fervor. Does that make sense? I guess I should say I had a good dose of Pharisee Complex. And frankly, when the Holy Spirit revealed this, it wasn't pretty. In fact, as Oprah is fond of saying, I had the "ugly cry." You know the one where all you can do is sob and hope to catch your breath in the next moment. All I could do was fall at His feet, confess my sin and ask for forgiveness.

How could I, how did I, when did I get to this point? And just why didn't I SEE it for myself?? I guess that's the hardest question for me to answer. I know it didn't happen over night, but rather crept in bit by bit while I wasn't looking. And that's the scary thing. It was there all along and I didn't even realize it. In fact, I would have argued against it had it been pointed out by anyone else other than the Holy Spirit.

So my dear Siestas thank you so much for all your prayers--for standing in the gap and lifting me up to the LORD of LORDS. I have emerged from my retreat, a new woman--one with a heart that is full, thankful, repentant, loving and most of all restored. Oh how I love my Sweet Savior for that!

Praising the LORD of second (third, fourth and on and on) chances,
~Cheryl