Ramblin's

"When a man is getting better he understands more and more clearly the evil that is still left in him."

-C. S. Lewis

This is the thing I like about having a twitter. I "follow" some pretty legit quote makers. AW Tozer, Bob Goff, Oswald Chambers, and CS Lewis are my favorites. This was the one that was posted on the CS Lewis feed and I found it to be incredibly encouraging.

I am a dirty stinky sinner. I realize I am beautiful and pure in the sight of Jesus....I get that, and I am thankful for it "errday" of my life, but by golly geeze there is so much....SO MUCH rotten nast in my heart. I've been realizing how impatient I am, and how everything that I want God to change about my heart has to do with my patience. Such as, I am easily frustrated, when I feel like I am not being understood...oh gosh. My initial reaction is "Ugh nevermind!" (Ask Josh) Or I am not that great of a listener, but I really want to be, so lately I have been trying to focus on what people are saying, and not what I need to do next...that's honestly pretty tough for me, but it won't be forever, God's working it out.

All this to say, I like that I am aware of my faults....at least these ones...for now. Because, I suppose that means I am getting better, not perfect, but I am growing. Every day, every trial, every test, I am being brought from glory to glory, by God's patience where mine falls short, by God's grace, when I am weak. By His mercy, when I am slow on figuring crap out. He's working in me, and sometimes it isn't always comfortable, but it's comforting knowing if I was just to stay this way forever, it would be enough, I would be enough for Him, He'd still love me, but I like that He's teaching me how to live life.

Please don't take this as "Oh EM Gee.....Erika like totally hates herself.." Because I don't. I actually really like myself...probably more than I should. I am encouraged that we have a God who loves us the way we are, but enough to adjust us, and it's FOR us. Yes, He uses us for His glory....but He works in us so we can have abundant life, a good life, one we can enjoy....and let's face it, we do life a lot better when we are healthy. We love with others better when we love ourselves enough to love others. (That made sense....read it again.)

Okay ready....here is the proof:

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4)

Pure Joy! Develops! Finished Work! Mature and complete...We'll get there.....let's keep going.