Rinse & Repeat Kinda Girl

1 John 1:7-9

I have made my share of mistakes along the way. I have sinned both unintentionally and willfully. And I’m quite sure I’m not done yet as I’m a rinse and repeat kinda girl.

I can honestly say though, that I strive daily to be a better person; a better friend, sister, mom, mother-in-law, and grandmother. I never want to be viewed as a bad person; only a good person who has occasionally stepped off the path because I saw a pretty flower that needed to be photographed, but failed to heed the poison ivy, the rabid raccoon, the 20’ dug pit, and the bear claw trap between me and what I wanted to do. This is admission that I have willingly stepped off the path, disregarding all the red warning flags, just to do my own thing. But I also want you to know that not only did I suffer because of it, others suffered because of my indiscretion.

I have written before that sometimes when we wander off the path it’s because there is something for us to learn. And that’s okay. But the truth is that we will probably step off the path in hazardous places because of our own selfish desires to do our own thing. Those are the worst lessons to learn. We should never have that desire to intentionally sin. And no matter how hard we try to rationalize our acts of sinful behavior (to ourselves or to others), God knows the sincerity of our heart and our true purpose for getting off the path.

1 John 1:8, If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

God also knew we’d be messing up big time, so He sent His Son to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins. That doesn’t mean we continue to willfully sin believing that grace will automatically free us. No, it means that Jesus makes things right as long as we make our hearts right. We need to repent.

Romans 6:1-2, What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?

Acts 3:19, Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out…

1 John 1:7, But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

So, yes, I am a rinse and repeat kinda girl. I do not desire to sin willfully, but I will fail God, and you, every once in awhile. Confessing our sins to God, and asking for His forgiveness will help us to heal and get back on the right path. Does that mean the consequences of our sin just go away? No. Some things will remain a permanent scar, but often we can still make bad situations better.

1 John 1:9, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I am not the same person I once was. And it is often painful to look back at that girl of yesterday. I will never be perfect but God continues to love me and bless me because I look to His perfect Son for my salvation. I will stand on His Promises.

I don’t claim to have all the answers. I can only go by the things I’ve learned along the way and the promises of God. Maybe I make sense to you, and maybe I don’t. But I do hope you can find at least one point to ponder.

Thank you for joining me this evening. Your presence means so much to me. Be mindful of the path you walk this week. ♥️

Andi

Photos: my beautiful clematis, May 23, 2020; People’s Pathway, May 18, 2020