The story...
The nation of Israel's history can be characterized as continuing cycles of restoration to a right relationship with God, drifting away, realizing the lost and pain of separation, and reconciliation. I've heard it said that this might be a good picture of a strengthening, growing, and lasting marriage too. People's self-focused natures tend to pull them apart yet the marriage commitment can be strong enough to restore the relationship - over and over again. Each restorative cycle can grow both marriage partners within their commitment to each other and to each of their relationships with God too.
I'm so thankful for my marriage partner and the personal growth that we've experienced both together and as individuals too. Similarly, this kind of growth can happen within the only church in town -continual cycles of pain, love experienced, and restoration. Yes, suffering, pain and brokenness often seem to be precursors and necessary ingredients for real and sustainable change cycles over time - growth.
Just for today...
"I can do nothing to change the past except stop repeating it in the present . . . Taking some tiny action each day cam be much more effective than weeks and months of inactivity followed by a frenzied attempt to make radical changes overnight." Courage to Change (p. 3)
"Each minute, each hour, each day, I smile a little more, let go of yesterday a little more, and live in today a little more." Hope for Today (p. 3)
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