The story...
My life trajectory's improved significantly in recent years. The changes came slowly and were worked out alongside other pilgrims. Those who walked with me seemed more honest with themselves, more okay as they were, and less guarded.
It surprised me that meaningful change took months, rather than weeks, to become more habitual and part of my character. For example, I learned that I often thought obsessively over problems, issues, and even new ideas. Obsessive thinking restrained me from engaging in, and enjoying, the present - the "now" where life's actually lived. Once I witnessed a better way, I assumed that I could change my behavior within 40 days at most - I've often heard it takes 40 days to establish a habit. It actually took me about six months to actually be different. I can still be triggered to start up a cycle of obsessive thinking; yet, I often, resolve it within the first 10 min. and return to living in the present.
I hope that the only church in town would accept people just as they are with grace and mercy. The community would allow others to safely grow at their own pace. Yes, real growth seems to take longer than expected and requires patience. Over time, the Spirit of God will begin to bear fruit through their lives. Some of their old defensive armor, needed to defend themselves, will be exchanged for the far better armor of God.
Just for today...
"You cannot create a statue by smashing the marble with a hammer, and you cannot by force of arms release the spirit or soul of man." Confucius (551–479 BCE)
"Despair - how many of us suffer from it! Yet we do not realize that it is purely the absence of faith." One Day at a Time (p. 103)
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