Knights Becoming and a Lady in Waiting

Anger Anonymous: Step Two

Update:  Just acknowledging that I don't have the power to change myself has made a huge difference.  I still lost my temper twice, but the immediate shock afterwards and re-yielding was freeing!  As a do-it-yourselfer, learning that I can't do-it-myself is going to have a steep learning curve, but it will be so worth the effort.

2.  Believe that a power greater than myself [God] can restore me to sanity [purity].

I'm not interested in returning to sanity.  Most of my family would tell you either that I was never there in the first place or the trip would take so long that I'd be lost before I got there.  I am very much interested in returning to purity.  The worst thing about being angry all the time is that I never completely yielded my sin.  Instead, I carried it around with me, protesting that I really am trying to work on that area of my life, but trapped in my own helplessness.  I want to be washed clean... and only God can do that.

Have you ever tried to remove a spot from an article of clothing?  With three boys in the house, I'm actually pretty good at getting out stains.  Between baking soda, vinegar, a good scrub brush, and an occasional dunk in the Oxy-Clean stuff, there aren't too many spots that I can't conquer.  Every once in a while, though, I come across something that requires a professional (or someone who is even more determined than I am).

There are some sins in my life that I can yield up without any problems.  When we miscarried our second child, I never once doubted God's loving concern.  I was never tempted to rant and rail at Him.  Then there's the sins I have to work at yielding on a daily-- if not hourly-- basis.  Anger is one of these.  If I do not consciously stop and hand my anger over to God, it can take me over as quickly as my daughter can dump out the toys in the toy bin.  On the other hand, if I give it over to God, then I'm aware of it, aware that I'm making choices about it... and I have the Holy Spirit to guide me.

Who can say, "I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin?" (Proverbs 20:9)

 

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)

 

Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Timothy 2:22)

God can restore me to purity.  God can create a pure heart in me. 

Untitled Comment

12:46 AM, Aug. 7, 2006 .. Posted by nsremom

Oh yeah,yeah yeah. I just happened to check my 'old' friend chathammommy on the off chance that you came back. So glad that you did. I really enjoyed reading your posts.

Have a great day. BTW: interesting stuff on the Anger anon. stuff. I'm gonna go peruse it. I was just eager to comment that I was happy you were back.

Untitled Comment

7:49 PM, Aug. 8, 2006 .. Posted by MommaStaley

I love your blog! You have a great, conversational writing style and an inspirational authenticness. (is that a word?) I think I'll be back!

Cari :)