William Holman Hunt
We are all broken and this world we live in is the broken place, where death of heart, death of relationships, and love is prevalent. Often we mask our deep, dark regrets of failure. Moral failure before marriage, failure to create an intimate marriage or fostering anger and resentment in marriage and feeling like a failure for never being able to become close or get rid of the pettiness.
Failure with our children, having shown anger or neglect to them, not really liking them; or doing everything we could to reach their hearts–doing our best and ending up with a prodigal who breaks our heart.
Failure with friends, petty quarrels, difficulty forgiving and forgetting.
Living with habits of eating disorders, cherishing idols that we know consume our soul or reading dark novels or more darkness than we can admit with sexual habits.
We are all broken people. Yet, if we indeed understand that He does not define us by our failures. He is “mindful that we are but dust.” Psalm 103. “He was wounded for our transgressions.” Isaiah
It is an illusion that anyone you know is perfect or can live by their works. No one can. All we like sheep have gone astray. We simply cannot hold to our ideals by effort, we are in total need of His mercy and grace, every day, all the time.
We want to serve Him. We want to be holy. We intend on being gracious, loving and patient.
But we fail and fall short, again and again and again–everyone you know, in some way.
But, there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, for the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and death. romans 8:1
It was for freedom that Christ set us free, therefore keep standing firm, that you do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”Gal 5:1
You cannot control the actions of behavior of others who are in your life. You cannot make others respond to God, to follow Him, to love and serve Him.
But you are responsible for your own actions. If you love Him and worship Him for His amazing grace, you do not have to be subject to the burden you carry deep in your heart.
You, as you are, are beloved by Him, forgiven, cherished. He understands what you carry. Go to Him, receive His love.
And then in humility, (because those who have seen the darkness of their hearts, and have yet received His amazing love, are humble), generously offer grace and forgiveness to those who are wounded deep within, by the feeling that their own failures or background define them. And tell them they are now defined by His love, His adoption, His family history.
Do not judge, but love hilariously, deeply, compassionately, like He, gentle in spirit, has loved you.
And in consequence, we will see love: deep, grateful, healing love, abound, flowing out all over, because of Him.
“For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” Luke 7:47
May we always, always love much, because He daily, and always, forgives and restores.
I praise God for your sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s leading. This entry was for me today.
This message is always in front of my face, and I usually believe it in my head, but today
it has renewed my heart. Thank you Christ for setting us free…over and over again.
I’m always amazed when the Lord confirms what he wants me to learn. Usually, through two or three avenues, a thread is woven, only for me to see. Today, it was this post. I know victory is on the horizon. Obedience is key and He is calling me to go deeper with him as a mom, wife, daughter. Thank you, Sally, for your honesty, ability to communicate on paper what many are experiencing personally.
Thank you for these words of encouragement today! Such a blessed reminder!
Well said!!
this was just for me today, as well … thank you. i have just started reading “educating the whole-hearted child,” and have been so very blessed by just the first section. feeling *humble* — for sure — and anticipating the good work God has planned for us to do as we build a home where our kids will grow up saturated in his grace.
I have been quietly reading for a little while now Sally, and then quietly leaving without writing a comment. But this time….this speaks so clearly to my heart. Thank you so much. I know these things, have known them all my life it seems, but nevertheless I tend to let the things I am so terribly ashamed of define my image of myself.
Your words are like a soothing balm.
As always Sally you speak directly to my heart. Thank you.
OH Sally. How I needed this today. ~Flowing tears.~
I feel like I comment so much here, but everything you write resonates. I have a file on my computer called “grace for mothers” because when I mess up, I really need to hear it. And I’m filing this away in that file.
Sally,
Your words are such an encouragement today, and always!
Oh, such a beautiful and much needed post, Sally. Thank you for sharing your wisdom.
Oh, such a beautiful and much needed post, Sally. I love your reminder that Jesus has forgiven us and does not consider us through the lens of our ugliness. Just as good, though, is your admonition to love other broken people lavishly! Thank you for sharing your wisdom.
I needed this so much today, and I need to share it with a precious 14 year old girl who went to sleep tonight with a heart full of self condemnation.
Thank you for this.
My first thought when I read your title was . . . and neither do the failures of others define me. That has been a hard lesson learned in my life. Thanks for the reminder.
Dear Cheri,
You spoke to my heart when you said….”and neither do the failures of others define me.” I have lived with self condemnation for years because my husband and I have a prodigal. We have blamed ourselves over and over and over again. We have been to counseling and know better. A hard lesson indeed. As I read what all of you ladies have said and most especially our loving Heavenly Daddy God ….I can no longer continue to hold any more condemnation for his choices …this son who is a man now. We did all that we were to do in raising this boy in a Christian home…..he made terrible life choices and continues. …..I am healing. God is indeed merciful!
Bless you all as we walk this road together and come out VICTORIOUS!
Dee
These words spoke right to me as well, thank you!
Thank you! Just what I needed today.
hummm…as soon as I dropped my last one off for their first day of school today, immediately! going through my mind?: failure (speaking of myself). Your words seem timely. I’m thankful to Him.
Beautiful article. Thanks so much for sharing it.
We all can relate to your wonderful article. But we have a wonderful Savior who loves us just as we are! Amazing Grace! Thank you for sharing!
How do you know me so well????? We’ve never met, but as I read this, the words went straight to my heart and mind.
Thank you so much for posting,
Hi, Sally,
I’m a new “dancer” this morning on your website. Thanks for this loving, uplifting message!
This is the lesson the Lord has been impressing on my heart this season of life. Thanks for Truth-speaking and affirming me to flesh out this Truth…for His Glory and my Joy!
Sally,
I am just so glad how God speaks through you to my mother’s heart. I needed these words this very day. Thank you!
Suzanne
Thank you for this blessing. I am faced with big failures in my life. My husband divorced me, I have lost complete custody of my children who are only 10 and 3 years old. I can’t see them for the time being. My heart cries every night and I miss them so much that sometimes it’s suffocating I have the impression that I can’t breath.
Nevertheless, HE is restoring my heart, gave me the understanding that it is far away from being over, that HE can make things new again and that HE is with me in this “battle”.
If I can ask anyone who reads this to pray with me for the recovery of my little family, I would be so much greatful.
I am leaving here my email adress if anyone would like to correspond with me.
Jesus bless us all
Myrna
myrnasurya@gmail.com
Thank you so much for allowing God to use you and your gift! He has used this to pour out love and blessing on me today, and I am sharing the gift by passing on the link.:)
I was just sent this post and had to take a moment to write. You have a wonderfully eloquent way with words. This post was beautfiul to read and most certainly spoke to my heart. I pray God will continue to use your words to advance His purposes. I also love the blog, A Holy Experience. I’ll have to check out some of the others on your blogroll.