I mess up everyday. Like ev.er.y.day. But I can tell that God’s working on me because after my daily mess-ups, I’m praying a different prayer. Instead of begging God to never put me in that situation again so I don’t make that mistake again, I find myself asking for another opportunity to “do the right thing” in a similar scenario.
I even get a little excited about walking again through that same experience just to get the chance to faithfully submit to God’s lead. Like I’m gearing up for the big game with my coach and I growl and contort my face. I know I’m strange.
(My boy growling.)
For example, let’s say that I do something or say something that doesn’t show respect to my husband. Ahem. Hypothetically. But I know that God calls me to respect my husband “as unto The Lord.” So after I disrespect him, hypothetically, God convicts me and I confess. Then I ask God for another chance to show respect to my husband when it’s hard — when I don’t really agree with his decision.
I don’t like those kinds of prayers — asking for more of the same. I don’t want to walk through the same challenges again. But I want to reflect Jesus more and more. I want to depend upon Him to overcome my weaknesses. I want to be a woman who responds rather than reacts. I want to remain pliable in His hands.
The way I figure, God’s always transforming us. He’s always using the dailiness of life to conform us into the image of His Son — the image of love. So I want to learn whatever lesson He has for me to learn, submitting to His lead when it goes against what I feel.
The more we choose to submit to Him in the hard stuff — like loving our enemies, blessing those who curse us, forgiving for the 449th time — the more we reflect our Lord. And more often than not, those lessons are learned out on the field. So, let me hear you growl.
Hey Babe! It’s your husband. If you were hypothetically disrespectful…and hypothetically apologized…then I would definitely forgive you! I just wanted you (and the rest of the blogging community) to know that I was pickin’ up what you were puttin’ down. I love you!
I love you too, babe. 🙂
Thank you for this post, Lara! It has never occurred to me to pray that prayer. This challenges me! So “easy” to apologize and ask God for forgiveness, but to ask for a second chance in a similar situation…. that’s not so easy. This also has me thinking about this idea as a parenting tool, as well. Like when (hypothetically) your kids are mean to each other or disrespectful to their parents. Hmm…. need to think of a good way to teach through that with this in mind!
Thank you for sharing this. Most of all thank you for Bravely sharing your courageous heart through your book To Walk or Stay. To a young single mother who has never had a mother to turn to & ask question, I am so very thankful for these sweet blessings like your book and blogs. Through your own pain you are presently helping a motherless mother who is struggling 1 moment at a time. Clinging and trusting in the Lord more and more everyday
Keep Shining friend,
Farrah