Guilt

Do you ever feel guilty? 


'I didn't get the house cleaned like I wanted to.'

'I was a dissapointment to my Bible study leader because I didn't study as much as she would like.'

'I skipped the Reformation rally and all I could hear in my head was a voice that said 'how could you not go to something this edifying'.'

'I didn't excercise today, or yesterday, or the day before that.'



Sometimes I think in our Reformed bubble we put a lot of expectations on people that aren't good.  Yes going to church whenever the doors are opened can be a good thing. But going to every Bible study, youth group meeting, evangelism conference, mission outreach, quilt group can be a 'not-good' thing too. 

I remember talking to a friend in Haiti that had moved there from a busy Reformed life. He was relishing being home with his family at night.  Relishing the fact that he didn't have an option of two events on every Saturday night.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying we need to stop all of these things, or that we shouldn't go to any of them.  But feeling guilty for spending time at home with your family instead of doing them? No.

I just read a blog post that talked about adding things to Jesus. We sometimes think we need Jesus and ....  At the end of the day, we need Jesus. Nothing more. Nothing less. 

Sometimes that means saying no to an activity that is good and worthwhile and edifying. Sometimes that means having a nap in the middle of the day, or curling up on the couch to read a book instead of being busy. Sometimes that means a dirty house but a lot of laughter with your husband.  All of that without the guilt of feeling that you need to be somewhere else.

That's what I think. What do you think?