Summers/early fall are tough on my Christian walk. I am not at church, I’m surrounded by worldliness, my language goes down hill, my attitude goes down hill. In short, it’s messy. I love lumberjack season and I love my “summer family” but I allow the drama surrounding things to bring me down. Instead of being the light in the middle of the frustrations, I have a tendency to join in. What kind of witness is that?
I had been talking about making myself a “swear jar” for next summer so that when my language gets bad or I start to join in the grumbling and gossiping, I have to add to the jar. Then I joked that it wouldn’t work because I never have any money. But really, it wouldn’t work for a much deeper reason. By doing the swear jar, I am trying to change the issue myself. I am not allowing God to create the change in me Himself.
By trying to do the “right thing,” by trying to be a better Christian, I am actually getting in God’s way. How often do I think to myself “no, I can do this. I don’t want to let God do it?” Because, honestly, I catch myself having that exact thought at least once a day.
I’m not saying that trying to better oneself is a bad thing. I’m not even saying a swear jar is a bad thing. What I am saying is that a better method would be to pray. A better method for me would be every time I find myself about to get grumble-y at a competition, etc, to stop, and say a quick prayer for help with my attitude.
You can try and try all you want but without God’s help, it just isn’t gonna happen. Something for me to remember when I start going all human and trying to fix and change things myself. 🙂
jenn says
WOW! What a coincidence (or…not!!)! My husband’s first post last night was very similar to this.
It’s only by God’s grace we are saved, and it’s through Him we can change at all! Thanks for sharing and being real!!
God bless,
Jenn
Julie @ Loggers Wife says
That’s so awesome! Definitely not a coincidence. Total God thing. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Shirley Wood says
I can relate even though, we are not lumberjacks. My husband and I had this conversation recently. Anytime we, ‘get out of church’ and not in that Fellowship, hearing the Word and praying with others, we tend to allow our thoughts not to be on things above. We can mend this a bit by making it a point of having a Bible study together at home and praying together at home. It doesn’t have to be anything big, just a conversation about what verse would have been great to claim today! Glad you shared this introspective post!
Julie @ Loggers Wife says
That’s a good idea. Thanks for sharing it!