February 16, 2011

Jesus, thank you for the rain, I love the change that it brings.  Thank you for seasons, both in my life, and in the weather. Amen

When Jesus and his disciples arrived at Bethsaida,
people brought to him a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him.
He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village.
Putting spittle on his eyes he laid his hands on the man and asked,
“Do you see anything?”
Looking up the man replied, “I see people looking like trees and walking.”
Then he laid hands on the man’s eyes a second time and he saw clearly;
his sight was restored and he could see everything distinctly.
Then he sent him home and said, “Do not even go into the village.”

Mk 8:22-26

It is interesting that in the gospel today Jesus does not cure the blind man's vision all in one go.  He first healed him partially, than fully.  Last year at the moms retreat, I was talking to a friend about confession.  She said, and it is so true, "No matter how many times I go to confession, I'm confessing the same sins!" It's not that God is not healing us of our sins, but that it is a gradual process of healing.  God has an entire lifetime to perfect us.  I know I go at life each day with the same weaknesses, no matter how much I pray that my personal struggles will be taken from me.  Perhaps it is so I don't forget that I need God's continual healing, and that I need to turn to him constantly.

Jesus, today I ask you to not give up on me, I'm at the door knocking, I'm not going to give up trying to be more like you.  To be more loving and less selfish.  I fail so often in my day, often I feel overwhelmed by my need.  Help me to recognize areas that I have grown closer to you to give me the courage to continue on. Amen