NOT WANTING TO BE CAUGHT
There is a faith element within the show that is certainly a plus. But I get tickled every time Olivia or Grandma do something they are worried their preacher will catch them doing. The time Olivia went into the Dew Drop Inn which was against all her moral behaviors. Or Grandma when she placed a bet with Grandpa during a horse race.
The last thing these ladies wanted to be caught doing, was something they— and the Pastor or church would disapprove of. Yet, occasionally they both did. I suspect we are all guilty of that every now and again. The fascinating thing about that is, even if we hide our ‘inappropriate behavior or actions’ from our peers—whoever they may be, God still sees. It’s Him we need to be concerned about!
GROWING IN OUR FAITH
Growing in our faith isn’t about getting everything right, every time. We’re human and inevitably we’re going to fail. That alone can scare new believers into not believing they are truly a child of God. Their past haunts them and they are sure that if they don’t do all things exactly right, God won’t accept them anymore. They believe they’ve disqualified their faith experience.
INCONSISTENT HABITS
Sometimes it has more to do with inconsistent spiritual habits, or feeling like a hypocrite, because we’ve done something God wouldn’t approve of. It may be words that come out of our mouth or swirl in our heads (even when unsaid), actions we’ve made when responding in anger, anger in itself when filled with hate because it’s the way we’ve always felt about someone or something.
All of these negative pieces is right where God can teach us. It’s about learning to align our actions with our beliefs. If we learn to recognize our mistakes—even our inconsistencies, the Holy Spirit is right there to nudge us in the right direction. Sometimes a verse will come to mind or even a subconscious conviction. That’s growth. That’s listening to the Holy Spirit talking to our hearts!
WE ALL FAIL
What’s interesting though is realizing we will fail-- again. I have one amazing friend who does a lot of traveling because of work. There are times he confesses to getting hung up in traffic and getting beyond frustrated. It’s so bad he says things he knows he shouldn’t. Then he says, ‘Yeah, I had to talk with God again. I messed up and said things I had to repent of!”
WE ALL HAVE WEAKNESSES
We all have our weaknesses. We struggle to apply what we know and believe every day of our life. Satan is waiting to pounce on us every time we make a move that to him, makes us vulnerable. He uses it, twists its, and keeps telling us lies, to our heads (and hearts) until we feel like there’s no going back. How can God possibly keep forgiving me when I keep messing up?
OUR HEART’S DESIRE
We’re human. But as a Christian, it’s our heart’s desire to please God, yet we each fail in our own ways. Only Jesus led a sinless life on earth. It’s absolutely necessary for each of us to be accountable for where we fail; become humble before Him and confess. Then go out and try to do our best again,—-and again, — and again!
KEEP TRYING
God is a loving, patient and kind God. All those times we keep trying, and fail—repenting, then asking for His help, we are still trying ----and that’s what God wants to see, and will honor that. He knows we are still growing!
