While I don’t think I have been abused by religion, I am taking the time to do the exercises as outlined in the book; Recovering From Religious Abuse, 11 Steps to Spiritual Freedom written by: Jack Watts. I do know I have been hurt by religion, but hurt and abuse as described and presented in the book, and I believe are two different things. I will admit, one of my greatest concerns is that I may have at times been an abuser. I don’t think I have been but this journey will hopefully help me understand where I am at, and in the process, help others as I journal each day of the steps outlined in the book.I am a work in progress, even at the age of 51 going on 52, I recognize, I still have breath, I still have life, I am a work in progress. There are things I need to work on to become the person God wants me to be. I realize the importance of letting others know those things so they can be there to help me out when I am weak, or when I falter.
I need to be more disciplined. I know this may sound crazy to some, but I recognize the need to be even more disciplined than I am, especially in the area of identifying priorities and getting things done. I am pretty good about following structure; I need to be better at identifying the important and effective things to be done.
I need to be more aware of listening to others. Again, while I may be trained here and while I have made progress over the years, I need to ask for the heart of Christ and care about each person. Sometimes, and I think it is almost human nature; it is easy to get distracted. I don’t want to, I don’t mean to, but the ability to focus on and see and hear the heart of the person who is opening up to me is important and something I can improve on. If I care enough to listen, I can better help one understand the one who is perfect, Jesus Christ.
A third area I need to work on is in getting back to an old concept I learned some years ago, that is to delegate and in the process, give myself more respect, time, and fellowship with others through the process. I need to also share in the experience of the things I am doing, and in that experience, better share in the positive things of life.
God has been working on me for a number of years, he still has work to do and I am grateful. I pray that I will not only find contentment in the things I have done, (as there is nothing else I can do about many of those) but I can also find the excitement of looking towards the things and life God has for me in the future.
God, I know there is more I need to work on. I look forward to you doing as you will through my life today, tonight, and tomorrow.
Make sure to check the blog archive to follow this journal through its entirety, plus an interview with author Jack Watts and the review of the book.
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