A Saint Is A Sinner Who Keeps On Trying

You can do 99 things right, receive zero support, encouragement, congratulations, or praise from someone, yet they will be the first to comment on the one thing they perceive you did wrong.

You can say 99 good words, but cuss when you stub your toe, and they’re going to get you for foul language.

You can have 99 photos in modest dresses, but they attack you for the one your dress slips down a bit.

 You can give 99 dollars, but they’re going to get you for not giving one more.

 You can be nice 99% of the time, but raise your voice once, and be villainized.

 You can sing a song and hit all the notes 99 times and nobody bats an eye, but the one time you miss, it’ll be blasted on the front cover of magazines.

You can give your children healthy food 99% of the time, but give them one cookie and suddenly you’re a bad mom.

True support doesn’t equal silence during wins, and noise during perceived flaws.

 The enemy never supports… he criticizes, he condemns. Silence during goodness and boldness during weakness. God on the other hand supports, He uplifts, He encourages, He celebrates our goodness, and offers gentle help and mercy when we mess up. 

You send someone a message filled with criticism, and the notification pops up as they stand in line for confession. You send someone a message filled with critisim, and they read it as they just finished praying. You send someone a message filled with criticism, as they are picking out flowers to adorn the altar. 

 You will never please everyone, ever. No matter how good you are, the good that you do, to the wrong people will never ever be enough. They will ignore the good you do, never vocalizing support and praise, but will suddenly have a voice filled with criticism for that 1% of the time when you inevitably make a mistake.

Jesus is perfect, and people still complain about Him, so what makes you think that you who are imperfect won’t get people complaining about you? 

“There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?” - James 4:11-12

Why is Jesus the only one who can give just judgment ? Because He knows the full scope of the story. A story filled with ups and downs, hopes and broken dreams, suffering, sadness, and glory. He knows every bit of your story. And He looks at you in light of the goodness bestowed on you by The Father, and can place FAIR judgment.

The only teachers that are 100% perfect are Jesus and His Mother. The faith was spread from imperfect apostles. If you're waiting on perfection, nothing would ever be accomplished. God calls us to strive after perfection, but knows we are imperfect. That's why we have a Savior and the sacraments.

The Pharisees waited for Jesus to mess up. He’s literally perfect and they sat and waited for Him to do something they could villainize Him for.

“As they stood there asking Him questions, He straightened up and said to them, "Whichever one of you has committed no sin may throw the first stone at her." - John 8:7

It’s easy to cast stones at someone when you don’t walk in their shoes. Good thing God doesn’t partake in “cancel culture” because if that were the case, well we all would be screwed.

 My favorite method of evangelization is beauty. An invitation. A beckoning. Because I know that sin is rooted in woundedness. People act out of a place of pain. People don’t need condemnation, they need encouragement in their inherent goodness to be less likely to operate out of a place of pain. 

True support equals support during your wins, recognizing, and upholding them. Don’t say you care about and support someone if you’ve never congratulated their goodness but speak up on what you perceive to be a mistake.

What is care without any congratulations?

 Authentic love rejoices in goodness, and gently offers another path in moments of concern.

 Do someone a favor and support them in their beauty. Encourage. Uplift. Shine a light. Your femininity? A precious gift. Your heart for people? Lovely. The way you want to help others? Amazing! Your talent? So needed!

 Loud criticism and silent support, is like a stereo stuck on static, always on the wrong station, never getting to the music.

 I’m not perfect, you’re not perfect. Thank God we have a Savior who is, and who’s heart is filled with love and mercy. 

A Saint is a sinner who keeps on trying.