31 Days of Repentance
By Monica Kritz
Mitchell County
Jason and Monica Kritz
Day 23: Forgive me for being late.
Are you a person who is always early or always late? It seems more and more, I am late. It is a frustrating habit, but I finally realized why I am late so much of the time, (with a little help from an older, wiser friend). I like to accomplish tasks. It makes me “feel good” if I accomplish something. So when I see there are 10 minutes to spare in my schedule, I tackle the seemingly small task. The problem is that the “10-minute” task actually takes 15 or 20 minutes to finish! Then, it is like a domino effect. My whole schedule is delayed, thus I am late.
This is not an excuse, however. You have heard it said, “That’s just the way I am. I can’t help it.” Well…I don’t accept that! Now that I realize the problem, a correction needs to take place: only accomplish what I can accomplish with any extra time. Or how about this…take the 10 extra minutes to relax and enjoy…de-stress before the next task! It is a change, but a healthy one…less stress, less tension, less frustration. Those are definitely better!
You may ask how is this sin? When I am late, someone is waiting for me, which also causes a delay in their schedule. Consider when you are late to an office, the whole staff is affected, causing multiple stresses on the differing schedules. What about being late for church? In my case, I play the piano and if I am late, the whole church is waiting for …me! Eeek…! People get angry and frustrated, and I feel “rushed.” How can we truly worship GOD in an atmosphere like that?
It is very inconsiderate of other people when we are constantly late. Also, it is a sign of arrogance, selfishness, and pride. When we are late chronically, we are really saying, “My schedule is more important than yours. My day is busier than yours.” This is a sin. Oh LORD, do forgive me! Oh, how that breaks my heart to realize this! But oh, what a beautiful place…a place of forgiveness and restoration and new beginnings!
Now that I have admitted this and confessed it to THE LORD and asked HIM to forgive me, I can see some changes, even though I am still a work in process. I’ve noticed when I leave earlier and get to my destination earlier, I feel less stress and less tension, which leads to a much more enjoyable experience!
Think about it: when you keep “pushing” to fit everything into your schedule, you get tense, which leads to lashing out at those around you, especially those you love. Relationships can be greatly damaged, some-
times permanently scarred and broken.
If we are to live as children of GOD, changes need to take place. And that change begins inside…in our hearts.
Challenge:
* Read Proverbs 12:1-2 every day, until it is memorized. Without even realizing it, the memorization will happen! Try it! You will be surprised! [Personal note: I did this with Ephesians 6:10-20, without even trying to memorize it. Now, I know it by memory! And I am one of those people who say, “I do not memorize well.”]
* Consider your prayer time. Do you have prayer time every day? When you begin to realize that GOD, Who created the universe is waiting for you to come to HIM, you will view prayer time completely differ-
ent. When I hit the “snooze” button repeatedly or turn off the alarm and go back to sleep, what am I saying?
Is sleep really more important than time with my Heavenly FATHER, Who loves me and created me and desires so much to help me with my day…and with my life?
* When we feel really “grieved” about something, I believe that is because THE HOLY SPIRIT is grieved!
That “heaviness” in our spirit is an indication that something is wrong. Take the time to pay attention to
this feeling. Stop…and ask GOD what HE is saying to you.
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Jason and Monica Henley-Kritz live in the beautiful mountains of Spruce Pine, North Carolina, nestled near the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway. Jason is the owner of Joyful Noise Vintage Audio & Electronics, where he repairs, rebuilds and restores vintage electronics. Monica is the owner of Monica’s Music Studio, where she teaches piano and music theory lessons. Jason and Monica were married in 2007, and they give GOD all the glory for any accomplishments in their lives.
Contact Monica with questions about the books or to order hard copies.
Email: monicasmusicstudio@gmail.com
Phone: 1 828 765 8789 ( Leave a message )
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