Continuing on our theme of self growth and breaking down walls this Advent..
- The Gift of Letting Go – it’s alright to realize you can’t hold onto the things that weigh you down any longer. It’s more than alright to bring them to the foot of the cross and leave them there. We are not always strong enough to deal with the twists and turns life has given us, and we often forget that the only solution for these challenges is right up there on the cross. Holding onto them only prevents us from growing. What is holding you back?
- The Gift of Self Forgiveness – I think one of the hardest things to do as a human is to admit you were wrong. We are full of pride. All of us. So to admit you were wrong and then have to let go of the shame and hurt that you caused yourself is tough. But it’s time. Jesus is coming and he is coming soon (and very soon!) why not schedule sometime this week to get to confession? The first step in forgiving yourself is making your soul clean with forgiveness from Jesus.. it’s your blank slate. Make the time for yourself.
- The Gift of Rebuilding – it’s alright to not do things the way you always have done them, and it’s more than alright to not keep the same people in your life who have hurt you in the past. It’s okay to shake things up, in fact it’s time. My dad is a huge Jets fan, and if you follow football you know the Jets have been awful for YEARS. Every year my dad would say it’s alright they are growing. It’s a rebuilding year.. he never lost faith in his team. This is a great lesson that I really value from my father. It’s okay to take the time and rebuild.. as long as you don’t keep making the same mistakes over and over. So after you have let go of the things you have been holding onto for so long, and have been able to forgive yourself it’s time to rebuild just make sure this time the center of your life is the Eucharist. If not you will just end up back where you were.
- The Gift of Laughter – I know it seems silly but sometimes I have to give myself permission to have a good time. I might be stressed out over money or a bad day at work and I forget that even if I am going through something I can still laugh. I can still chose to have moments of joy in a bad day.
- The Gift of Silence – I know I’ve said it before.. and I know I will say it a million more times but we are OVERWHELMED with noise. Be it the TV, Radio, outside, the news, whatever it is we do not allow ourselves the quite time needed to recenter and recharge ourselves. The Lord only speaks to us in quiet whispers deep down in our souls .. how will you hear him if you don’t spend some time in silence each day? Just 5 minutes can change your life!
- The Gift of Love – It’s really hard to understand unconditional love when you have spent most of your life receiving and often giving conditional love. It’s time to stop this nasty cycle and realize that you are worth a lot more than only being loved some of the time. The gift you have been given of your life by the Lord is proof enough that you are loved so much. Do not put conditions on that. You do not need to be perfect, you do not need to please everyone.. you just need to be you. You being yourself is pleasing to God. You are loved and good enough. Even if you need to repeat that over and over for a few days to remember it that’s alright. Try to start living as you are loved unconditionally. This may change you drastically. That’s okay too. It takes work to let go of the life we have to follow Jesus.. and even more than work it takes so much time. But God is patient, don’t forget it!
Be strong out there friends and keep fighting the good fight!
Love & Prayers,
Britt
I've Always Been a Storm 