Messed up but forgiven

I find that we are all messed up. Dysfunctional, codependent and generally self-centered. If this were not so, we would have no need for a savior, let alone a spiritual accountability partner. For the past 25 years my husband has been my accountability partner. Certainly, girlfriends have always had their place in my life as I will tell them the boring stuff my husband cannot help me deal with. Or the drama that surrounds my life as a woman.
Every day encounters with Jesus remind me again, and again that he accepts me where I am. That I do not have to have my act together in order to pray or to ask forgiveness. So as messed up as I can be one minute, I still have an advocate with my heavenly father. I can still come to his throne as one of his children. And if I have screwed things up on my own, I am greeted with open arms. How cool is this? Initial forgiveness, ongoing redemption and sanctification are the coolest. And Jesus, His is the sweetest name I know.

my quest for a spiritual attitude

There is so much to living this spiritual life. So many disciplines we can embrace or discard. As I seek to draw closer to the heart of my savior, it becomes increasingly important to check my attitudes, my thoughts, and my desires. Doing this is never easy or enjoyable but is a worthy, noble goal.
In reading "everyday simplicity" by Robert J. Wicks, I discover 3 principles for carving out a deeper spiritual life.

1. Nourish a spiritual attitude underlying all of life which enables me to view everything---including my sufferings and confusion---in a way that deepens me (us) and makes life more meaningful.
2. Design "a little rule" of prayer so I can find and nurture a refreshing, renewing place within to be intimate with God;
3. Learn how to share myself (ourselves) with others in a compassionate way that mysteriously feeds and enlivens me (us) rather than depleting me or making me feel overburdened and resentful.

This is where I find myself today in my spiritual journey. I want to experience real faith, that is to breathe easily, have trust and to be free from fear. I desire a sense of freedom from brokenness, alienation, helplessness, anxiety. I also desire to offer others this same faith. So today I will breathe.