Empathetic Witness

 The Absence of an Empathetic Witness

“Who will rise up for me against the wicked?
    Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?
Unless the Lord had given me help,
    I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.
When I said, ‘My foot is slipping,’
    Your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.
When anxiety was great within me,
    Your consolation brought me joy. Psalm 94:16-19 NIV

“The greatest cruelty is our casual blindness to the despair of others.” Anonymous

Looked at carefully, willfulness is more against something than for something.  David G. Benner

The Absence of an Empathetic Witness was the title of an encouraging email I received. Makes tremendous sense!  Without one, life can be so cruel! This is why we “Survivors” (hate saying victims) seek help. WE NEED SOMEONE to witness our tragedies, abuses and failing health. Counselors, pastors, books, and friends all have their place in healing from trauma. We may not have complete healing here on Earth (thorn in the side?), but connection, belonging, loving, and being loved are available in abundance if we dare to seek them.

The Father is an empathetic witness, the Son is an empathetic witness, and the Holy Spirit is an empathetic witness, at any time and any place, 24 hours a day.

Included in the article were symptoms of lacking an empathetic witness, especially in childhood:

Physical problems include overeating, drinking, not sleeping or sleeping too much, being startled easily, and more.

Emotional problems like anxiety, avoiding people or situations, depression, and lack of hope are soul-crushing. They stick like powerful glue, and we don’t even know why. We need to know why.

Another symptom is doing too much people-pleasing. Always going, and if you stop, the world will end. Love will vanish. Belonging is no more. Boundaries are crossed again and again. We may be like a hamster on a wheel, but the hamster enjoys it—he was made for it. You are not a hamster. You are a beloved child of God.

Shame. From all-out efforts to manage the perceived faults in ourselves. We’re the worst! No one could possibly love us if they knew us.

How discouraging if we had to do this by ourselves, and thankfully, we don’t! Jesus encouraged us to “ask, seek, knock and we will find.” Seeking takes courage and work. It won’t be linear. Some days, you’ll knock it out of the park, and other days will seem like setbacks. Part of the process, journey, and character building. But as they say in AA, “Keep coming back. It works!” Just showing up is progress, especially with faith.

Musings

“I thank my God for you every time I think of you, and every time I pray for you all, I pray with joy because of the way in which you have helped me in the work of the gospel from the very first day until now. And so I am sure that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus. You are always in my heart!” Paul said this in Philippians and if Paul needed others to help him, we do too. I thank you and know you’re always in my heart.

Prayer

Dear Father,

We thank you for:

Loving us.

Being proud of us.

Helping us to say we’re sorry and counseling us.

For Listening.

For guiding us into what is our responsibility and what is not.

For encouraging us and showing us we have what it takes.

For being with us every minute of every day and not abandoning us.

For being the true Empathetic Witness.

Amen.

Fickle Feelings Lead to Bad Decisions

“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9 NASB

“You cannot solve a problem from the same consciousness that created it. You must learn to see the world anew.” – Albert Einstein

Most of the problems I’ve had were terrible decisions. Feelings were the determining factor and not critical thinking.

I feel like one more drink—wrong decision.

But this relationship feels right! Ignore the red flags.

I feel this is the house for me. Ignore the cost, taxes, and insurance. It’ll work out.

I feel unloved. So, I isolate and prove it’s true. Or lash out—who wants to be with that?

I feel like an imposter! So I act like a wimp and seek approval like a starving person. “Please tell me I’m okay.”

How many feelings do you have each day? I confess I have several. Anger, sadness, excitement, pride, boredom, despair, and many, many more. If I acted on my feelings alone, my life would still be a disaster! You?

Love can be a feeling, but it’s based on action. “By their fruit, you will know them.”

Hope can be a feeling. And this is confusing. Is it wishful thinking disguised as hope? A magic genie? Or trust, and my actions reflect that trust.

Is faith a feeling? Well, Abraham went out not knowing where he was going. Noah built an ark without knowing the endgame. I’m sure their feelings were mixed at best. There was probably some fear, anxiety, unsteadiness, wonder. But they did what they did in faith. That obedience thing.

Is joy a feeling? It can be mistaken for happiness, which is a feeling determined by circumstances outside ourselves. Circumstances outside of us will disappoint us, eventually. The new car? The perfect job? Yes, even the new spouse. Joy is rock-solid trust in our Father, knowing we are loved and knowing we’re okay, even when things are painful or confusing.

Sometimes, I feel needy. I manipulate others to take care of my feelings. Honesty/vulnerability would be much better. “I feel needy. Could we talk about it? Have you felt needy?”

Do I control others with worry? When I worry, I place a heavy burden on others. That doesn’t mean we don’t share, pray, or find assistance for a problem, but when I’m stuck worrying about the same thing over and over? Do I believe the more I worry that it proves my love? The more earnest my prayer is?

Control with anger? Ultimatums: “If you do this one more time, I’ll turn blue and stomp my feet. Then you’ll be sorry!”

God has feelings, too. Jesus in Gethsemane with sweat with blood, yet he continued with his mission out of love for his Father. I’m sure his feelings were beyond comprehension, despairing, and oh so painful. When he forgave from the cross, his feelings were not celebratory. In a perfect act of love, he suffered for us. Jesus mastered his emotions and deliberately chose obedience. In Hebrews, it says, “For the joy set before him, he endured the cross.”  Delayed gratification. Not my favorite thing to do.

Musings

Feelings are fickle! Sometimes they lie! Create all kinds of chaos if they’re not mastered. With help from our Father and the Holy Spirit, we master our feelings. It is a lifetime project for sure. Many times, it’s very unpleasant. When I was a child, I acted like a child, but now I’m a grown-up.

Good feelings come. They are wonderful! They are a blessing! God gave them to us. God has feelings, too. But… the good feelings come when I do the right thing. And it may be a long time before the good feeling comes. Will I stay faithful? I’m better, but I have a long, long way to go.

Prayer

Dear Father,

Thank you for feelings, the good ones and the unpleasant ones. Feelings can teach us, warn us, embrace us, lift us, and encourage us, but they can’t be trusted all the time. You can be. Help us to master our feelings and make wise decisions. Help us to be vulnerable with each other with loads of grace.

Amen.

Anger or Gentleness?

“He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.” Berean Standard Bible

“We need to be able to deal with doubt lovingly, helpfully, and especially without ever scolding or shaming anyone for doubting. We must allow people to be who they are and then be able to meet them where they are.”― from “The Allure of Gentleness: Defending the Faith in the Manner of Jesus”

A man, a neurosurgeon I respect said, “Anger brings company.” Oh! How true! Pausing to ask myself what this anger is trying to tell me is challenging because I’m all emotional when angry with little rational thought. Remember the phrase, “count to ten when angry, and if very angry count to 100?” So wise. Here are some of the companions to anger:

Defensiveness. Protecting our ego, caught in something troublesome, still working on shame issues—what is this anger trying to tell me?

Unfairness. Life will always be unfair. The perfect man was sent to the cross. Many good people have died helping and rescuing others. Diseases still annihilate even the good or young. This could be righteous anger that motivates us to action or giving.

Irresponsibility. Avoiding or denying my part. Even bad relationships are not entirely one person’s fault.

Doubt. Everyone has times of doubt. Atheists have doubts. Doctors have doubts. Parents have doubts. We are tested so that doubt may shrink and trust in the Father grows.

Denial. This is another convenient behavior that will leave us stranded. Most people in recovery grapple and, hopefully, overcome through their willingness to let go to a Higher Power.

Envy. Comparing ourselves to others will always bring us up short. There will always be someone smarter, richer or more attractive. Those aren’t the things that get us to be like Jesus. I believe the Pharisees envied Jesus, who had no advantage at all, all the way to the cross and resurrection.

Past real or perceived wounds. They need attention. Pray, talk to a wise friend or counselor and let go. Make a list of progress and talents.

Illness. My husband would get very angry during his last couple of years fighting Lewy body dementia and it could not be controlled. It was not his fault. Many times it was directed at me. Boy! Did I learn to practice gentleness? I lost a few times. This brings me to…

Compassion. For yourself. For others. With lots of prayer and self-reflection without ruminating. It’s funny how compassion works. When I am compassionate toward myself, there is room for compassion for others. It’s “what flows out of the heart…” It’s gentle. It’s forgiving. It’s empathetic. It real. It’s active love. It dismisses Anger’s devilish companions.

Musings

Someone said: “Notice it. Name it. Reframe it.” We need to pause, pray quickly, and ask ourselves, “What is this anger trying to tell me?” Sometimes it’s nothing except to walk away. Sometimes it is motivation to right a wrong like hunger, suicide or addiction. Sometimes it’s a warning light on some unconscious need, trauma or falsehood. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are always available to help.

Prayer

Dear Father,

Paul reminds us, “We do not fight against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” It’s a challenge we often forget, which is why prayer is so crucial.

Help us to pause when angry and pause longer when very angry and let the Spirit take the lead. We ask and thank You for your constant counsel and help.

Amen.

You Belong

“I will call those who were not my people, ‘My people,’ and I will call her who was unloved,‘My beloved.’”Romans 9:25 NET

“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: “What! You too? I thought I was the only one!” C.S. Lewis

Being a Christian means we belong. We belong to one another. We belong to a king. We have a Wonderful Counselor. We have grace and freedom. We have a connection. We have love. We change.

 We belong!

My whole being was rejecting the daily mundane duties the other day.  My mind drifted off to high school.  Mind you, I haven’t thought about high school in years. They were extremely painful times of dramatic parents, dramatic me, and no connection or belonging. Someday I’ll share that. Why visit this time? Because there was a spot of joy. This spot of joy had been neglected for many, many years.

A sweet, shy, handsome Greek boy entered my mind. There isn’t even one celebrity that could compare to this young Greek!  My heart filled when I thought of him, back to art class in my senior year. The class was an hour I relished because of this deep, open, fun Greek student with whom I shared a table.  We shared so many things besides a table. He lost his mom at an early age. His parents emigrated from Greece. He felt awkward around girls. I shared my turbulent upbringing. How I hated liver and onions. Most of all we laughed at silly things. Our guard was down and we were authentic with each other. We winked at each other. We flirted. We laughed at our art projects that failed. Teased. I couldn’t believe girls weren’t stalking him! What a vibrant, caring, fun and lovely human being. We belonged.

Work and a personal crisis canceled my art class. We lost touch. Something very rare slipped away.  He was very shy. I was very distressed at that point in my life with responsibilities and utter confusion. We were no more.

Then he died. Age 18 years. He took his life. That permanent decision for a temporary problem. Belonging? Was that the issue? Belonging is as crucial to life as breathing. He didn’t want to breathe anymore. Of course, I wished I’d phoned him, shared more, gave him a caring note. Shock! What-ifs are devastating and hard to ignore.

I prayed about him and gave him to my father who loves this young man more than I did or do. I trust my father with him. Jesus died for him. He belonged and didn’t know it. May I be more aware of belonging for myself and others. I hope I see him again.

Musings

Belonging. Our father created us to belong. It’s as critical as our heartbeat. May we be brave enough to say, “What, you too? I thought I was the only one.” Slowing down and embracing what is and who is may prevent tragedy and enrich lives. Jesus invites us to his table. “Come! Eat and drink without cost.” We belong. There’s always room at his table.

Prayer

Father,

Thank you for the gift of belonging. Help us to reach out and be present. We don’t always know which soul needs a gentle touch, an authentic, listening ear or a warm embrace—belonging. The daily challenges sometimes blind us to what is truly essential for another and our souls. Jesus invited everyone to his banquet. May we do the same.

Amen

Weariness

Weariness

“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:38-30 NASB

“Rest when you’re weary. Refresh and renew yourself, your body, your mind, your spirit. Then get back to work.” Ralph Marston

Some weariness is not ours to carry. Jesus promises rest and learning from His gentle and humble heart. How many of us have learned from a gentle and humble heart? Not many, or counselors would not be a growing profession! Books covering all kinds of life’s setbacks are everywhere.

Some weariness is from daily experiences such as work, commuting, paying bills, repairing appliances, and raising our children. Tedious work. I get tired looking at the list of responsibilities, but how fortunate am I to have the duties?

Another weariness experience is resentment, usually holding onto the past and living there. Time to live somewhere else. A place that is comfortable and light.

How about carrying what is not yours? Other people’s behaviors are not ours, though it sure seems like it when our heart is broken by their problems. It hurts to see others suffer, even by their own choice. Continuing prayer to release them to the Father is the best choice. He will help us even if we don’t understand. Many times we won’t.

Time for gratitude. Don’t wait to feel grateful.  Jesus promises to teach us with a gentle and humble heart. What a gift! It may come from a dear friend, counselor, book, or special class. It may come with a “peace that surpasses all understanding.” But it comes if we discipline ourselves with gratitude. I pray before I pay my bills thanking Him for providing enough to meet my needs and give to others. Have I ever run short? Yes. But peace comes and somehow, looking back, the bills were paid, and a bit extra to give to charity/church and a little extravagance like a movie or dinner with family or friends.

Musings

God cannot and will not lie. When He says He will give rest and teach with a gentle and humble heart, He will. We learn to do the same.

Prayer

Dear Father,

How weary Your Son must have been traveling through dusty deserts, cold nights, judgmental Pharisees, and faithless disciples! Yet, He was thankful and faithful. Please help us to do the same without depending on feelings. We know we’ll find peace and rest, especially if we’re thankful.

Amen.

Let Go or be Dragged

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24

“Let go and let God.”

And don’t let go of God.

I have let go of some very destructive things in my life such as toxic people, addictions, and worship of money and status. But the hardest to let go is control.  The “I’m in control” has hurt me more times than I can count and dragged me away from my Father! There is very, very, very little I can control. This is a hard lesson and a huge relief!

When I feel anxious, troubled, exhausted, and fearful, there’s something I’m trying to control, and it may not be my responsibility. It may be God’s. It’s time to reframe my thoughts and trust him.

The blizzard that ripped through my area shook me. Fear consumed me. The power was out. The house was cold. My mind imagined so many horrible things as the wind howled. Fear dragged me around like a limp rag doll so I succumbed to my fear. “He will keep you in perfect peace…”   was in my mind and heart but…

Tremendous anxiety consumed me. Peter started walking on the water in the midst of the storm and he too started to sink.

Musings

Until Jesus comes back, the Prince of this World will torment us, especially the lovers of God. We don’t want to be dragged under or away, so we let go and let God be God in trust. It isn’t easy. We will have many times in our lives when this lesson is front and center. Is it because God cares more about our character than we do?

Prayer

Dear Father,

Your son was not dragged away but He still chose a filthy, rugged, and humiliating cross for our sake. It was a dark, despairing, frightening and lonely time. Three days later, there was great joy! Help us to remember this when struggling with life’s problems and temptations. Help us to not be dragged away from you.

Amen

Compassion Fatigue

“Casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]. 1 Peter 5:7 AMP

“Compassion is not a finite resource, but your energy and emotional capacity are. Prioritize self-care.” – Unknown

As a former caregiver, I know how the feelings run up and down, hot and cold, especially in shocking or unpredictable situations. I never knew when my husband, suffering from Lewy body dementia, would hallucinate, have panic attacks, or fall. These things happened often before I relinquished him to full-time care.

Then money worries.

Those in Life-saving careers, counselors, the military, and charitable organizations deal with it daily. Trauma, death, and catastrophic losses when one shows up for work.

Parents caring for their children and elderly parents, and those caring for the ill can forget their purpose. Who wouldn’t? We are but dust.

And the following occurs: Numbness, anxiety, short temper, exhaustion, hopelessness, and PTSD. But the number one…

GUILT. It is ubiquitous and life-damaging. It is when addictions may occur. Christians seem particularly susceptible to guilt because of our beliefs about what a Christian is—giving, loving, and patient. Christians are these things, too, but they are also human with all the limitations humanness has.

Time for Self-Care. What did you love to do before caregiving? What comforts? What or who can give you well-needed rest and support? For me, it was lunch with my close friends and a cleaning woman who would watch my husband so I could nap.

Sometimes self-care is unpleasant and unrewarding like going to the dentist, exercising, eating healthy meals, or (gasp!) finding time for a shower. I broke a tooth during my caregiving years, but I found a daycare for those with dementia through the senior center—tooth fixed. Please search sites that can assist.

Sometimes self-care is pleasant and rewarding like lunch with friends, a long nap under autumn leaves, or an online chat with someone going through similar situations. There were many Lewy body sites I could access at any time. I chatted with a woman in Australia at two a.m. who was going through the same. We even made lighthearted jokes to lift our spirits—we carried each other’s burdens. I thought about church members who could help but their dementia experiences were nonexistent and some were uncomfortable with dementia. They helped with errands like groceries and prescriptions and were happy to do it.

Musings

When caring for others, guilt is the number one problem. You’re doing the best you can to the point you collapse. Then we heap more guilt on ourselves. Pray, seek, and ask for help. It’s tough to ask for help sometimes but guilt is much worse. Talk to yourself like you would a beloved friend. Talk to yourself as the Father does. The 23rd Psalm is refreshing and leads us through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. The Father’s rod and staff comfort.

Prayer

Dear Father,

When we are at our limits from caring for others, help us to find solace and stillness with You. Bring support to us and hope. Sometimes our prayers are salty tears from guilt, sadness and exhaustion. We want to do what is right. You want us to practice self-care because we matter too. Christ removed all of our guilt.

With gratefulness always,

Amen.

Denial is Exhausting!

“And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, ‘Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times’ And he went out and wept bitterly.” Matthew 26:75 NIV

“The attempt to escape from pain is what creates more pain.” ― Gabor Maté

A wife was caring for her husband in the hospital and lifted her anxious eyes to see the verdict on the doctor’s face as he approached her. She said, “Not now. Let me put the bad news in my pocket to deal with later.” The doctor hugged her, put his phone number in her pocket and left. She did confront the bad news later that day but for a time, she prayed and consoled her very ill husband and wept privately. There is a time to deny some harsh things in life for a time.  We put it in our spiritual pockets and care for what is in front of us with awareness and faith.

Denial can be so very demanding. And it hurts! Ourselves and others.

Denial is a Brutal Taskmaster. We strain out a gnat and swallow a camel. Even the religious of Jesus’ time struggled with this—a mutual admiration society. Patterns are indicative of this: seeking approval, picking unhealthy people, addictions, chronic debt, and more–unconsciously.We can’t change our lives with the same mind that got us into trouble. We must become conscious—we avoid this like a root canal! And the patterns and pain continue. Exhausting!

Denial is deceptive. It may make us think more highly of ourselves than we ought to. Sadder still, we think less of ourselves who are made in the image of God.

Denial makes us judgmental. We see the speck in another’s eye and deny the log in our eye. We will stumble and crash over this log because we are blind. Self-reflection and awareness of the judgmental voice in our heads help banish judgmentalism, especially the judgmental voice that accuses us. That’s not the Father.

Our Father helps us.  No other person loves you unconditionally except our Father through His Son. No other religion loves unconditionally. In His wisdom, He shows His love by dying for us and facing hard truths with us—Not guilty. We have a new mind, “the mind of Christ and a new heart.” 2 Corinthians 2:16

It takes time, self-reflection, courage and hope. It’s a worthwhile and life-long goal with support and signposts along the way. We wouldn’t start a trip without a map, rest and a solid vehicle.  If a warning symbol lights up on our dashboard, we don’t deny it—we check it out and get help. When our feelings light up on our dashboard, time to pay attention and take a step toward healing. The Bible is our roadmap, the Holy Spirit is our vehicle, Jesus is the driver, and other encouraging Christians are our signposts.

Musings

One of the most difficult obstacles in our Christian journey is denial. So much opens up for us when we face our patterns with faith and courage. Help is on the way. Help is here.

Prayer

Dear Father,

Knowing we are fully and completely loved is our first step toward banishing denial. Thank you for being gentle with us. You are even gentle with us when we come and admit some hard truths about ourselves. You know them before we do. We know You want what is best for us and for Your Kingdom. What You have graciously given us should never be denied.

May we never deny Your Son.

May we share the good things today.

Amen.

Phonies

Goody-Goodies, Snake Oil Salesmen and Other Pretenders

“If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else.” Galatians 6:3-4 NIV

“Talent is God-given; be humble. Fame is man-given; be grateful. Conceit is self-given; be careful.” John Wooden

New Christians may seem a bit hypocritical when they first become Christians, but that’s just young enthusiasm and thankfulness until the life lessons come to visit. And they always come to visit. They feel and celebrate as the Prodigal Son did with his Father, which is good, but what about the other son? Do we resemble him too?

Plodding, enduring, working, and a bit of martyrdom–duty. I can tell when I’m not abiding in Christ: resentment, comparing, and “what about me” is exhausting! It’s back to seeking approval, earning approval, and thinking it’s in my power. I have forgotten a fundamental truth:

God’s love is a gift. I can’t earn it; I don’t deserve it but here it is–a gift. Ephesians 2:8-10 states it plainly so we won’t boast and tumble away. We may become the other son in the Prodigal story. He earned it. He endured his brother’s failures. He worked and worked. Did he do it for the love of his Father? I think he was being dutiful for his inheritance—not out of love. The father said, “Everything I have is yours but your brother was dead and now he is alive!” Was the son that remained with his dad alive? This son worked with his Father, possessed all his Father had but there was no joy. And he did not want to celebrate his brother’s return to life.

Musings

It’s so upsetting sometimes when charities, politicians, and other public figures declare their faith and get caught in some scandal when no one is looking. They’ve cheated on their spouse, they come across as phony, and they’ve endangered or financially hurt their communities or their employees because they forgot: it’s a gift. There but for the grace of God go I. We must thank and abide. It could be us. Maybe it has been us.

Prayer

Dear Father,

The world always seduces us into thinking we’re something we’re not. It’s in our very hearts to be “something—” famous, rich, beautiful, talented or wise. These gifts can be good things if we abide by and remember who is the Gift-Giver.

“Thank you for Your Indescribable Gift.”

Amen.

Plank in the Eye-Ouch!

Or there but for the grace of God go I.

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:3-5 NIV

“Don’t judge a man by where he is, because you don’t know how far he has come.” C. S. Lewis

Joyce Hanscom Holzman’s list of what a healthy Christian looks like is worth placing on a mirror or another spot you frequent. It’s a terrific way to remove the plank from our eyes.

  1. Can love others without judgment.
  2. Has a healthy self-worth and gives all shame and guilt to God.
  3. Being able to regulate your emotions like sadness and joy.
  4. Can give grace to messy people who frustrate them and are unaffected by their opinions.
  5. Giving to people, not being selfish, and not expecting others to conform to their expectations.
  6. Maintains hope in God despite life’s setbacks.
  7. Takes responsibility for their emotions and actions, and do not blame others.
  8. Is not fearful but trusts God.
  9. Identifies wrong beliefs and adopts God’s truth for their beliefs.
  10. Is empathetic toward others.
  11. Is comfortable being alone and with others

For more helpful steps, visit Joyce’s Hope for Complete Healing website.

We miss the beauty of repentance and reconciliation when we don’t acknowledge our sins. Throughout the Bible and daily life, when someone repents, their lives become an inspiring story of victory and humility. Not overnight, perhaps, but it comes.

 Musings

“What we avoid will tyrannize.”Think of Cain and Abel. Think of addictions. Think of multiple divorces. Bankruptcies. We must turn around and let the Father put us back onto the road of reconciliation, mercy, compassion, and growth.

Prayer

Dear Father,

Thank You for repentance, which restores us to right relations with You, ourselves and others. It humbles, educates, and brings us closer to You. We can work on our blind spots when we consider how very much You love us through our Advocate, Jesus.

Amen.