Christian widowhood and celibacy

[hopetoheal]

Dear Thylovingkindness..

Thank you, thank you and thank you for your message. I'm going to print it out and memorize it. It's a one day--sometimes a one hour at a time-- situation. Today I had to get my husband's death certificate in his hometown (before we met) and I was between tears and despair all day-- only by God's help I've been able to think of some of His encouraging promises. Tonight I'm having dinner with a friend who keeps pursuing me. I am definitely NOT ready for any relationships though. Please pray that I'll be able to express that in a tasteful and non-antisocial manner. I can't afford to alienate friends either, but it's so hard to know how to handle social situations around single people these days. Thanks again and I hope you've been hanging in there yourself.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

Dear Thylovingkindness..

Thank you, thank you and thank you for your message. I'm going to print it out and memorize it. It's a one day--sometimes a one hour at a time-- situation. Today I had to get my husband's death certificate in his hometown (before we met) and I was between tears and despair all day-- only by God's help I've been able to think of some of His encouraging promises. Tonight I'm having dinner with a friend who keeps pursuing me. I am definitely NOT ready for any relationships though. Please pray that I'll be able to express that in a tasteful and non-antisocial manner. I can't afford to alienate friends either, but it's so hard to know how to handle social situations around single people these days. Thanks again and I hope you've been hanging in there yourself.

I think it would just be best to be honest with your friend, that you are not in a position to trust your emotions right now and you KNOW you are vulnerable and therefore have to guard against that. My husbands best friend became my best friend for awhile after he died, but before he died, he (my husband) told me that he thought so and so was going to try to move in on his spot and not to let him. So I made it a point to kind of call him out before my husband passed and in front of my husband, just to let him know it wasn't going to happen. Even friends of mine were worried that I would somehow fall for the friend. But I KNEW I would be vulnerable and I did NOT want to be the statistic that usually happens like ending up being with one of my husbands friends. It was never going to happen.

 

[ThyLovingkindness]

Dear Thylovingkindness..

Thank you, thank you and thank you for your message. I'm going to print it out and memorize it. It's a one day--sometimes a one hour at a time-- situation. Today I had to get my husband's death certificate in his hometown (before we met) and I was between tears and despair all day-- only by God's help I've been able to think of some of His encouraging promises. Tonight I'm having dinner with a friend who keeps pursuing me. I am definitely NOT ready for any relationships though. Please pray that I'll be able to express that in a tasteful and non-antisocial manner. I can't afford to alienate friends either, but it's so hard to know how to handle social situations around single people these days. Thanks again and I hope you've been hanging in there yourself.

Awww hopetoheal... you're grieving, I remember the death certificate situation all too well, having to obtain numerous copies for this and that.

About the date tonight. At the risk of telling you what to do, because I believe that we all need to go through the grief stages and life experiences which are so individual to each of us... this I will say... tread lightly. Again, I encourage fellowship with women, mature ones in the Lord, Bible study in a male/female environment is a consideration as far as fellowship with men, especially in the initial stages.

I've had similar struggles with being around people as a widow; with you, it's single people, with me, it's married couples. A few times I was invited, say, to holiday dinners by married friends, with all the family present... and I'm just... sort of... there. The food was good though, I have to say!

Prayers are going up as you dine with the friend. God bless you!

 

[ThyLovingkindness]

I think it would just be best to be honest with your friend, that you are not in a position to trust your emotions right now and you KNOW you are vulnerable and therefore have to guard against that. My husbands best friend became my best friend for awhile after he died, but before he died, he (my husband) told me that he thought so and so was going to try to move in on his spot and not to let him. So I made it a point to kind of call him out before my husband passed and in front of my husband, just to let him know it wasn't going to happen. Even friends of mine were worried that I would somehow fall for the friend. But I KNEW I would be vulnerable and I did NOT want to be the statistic that usually happens like ending up being with one of my husbands friends. It was never going to happen.

Good morning, *I can't help but wonder about how hopetoheal's date went!* Blessings!

 

[Rememberme]

This morning a very close friend of mine wants me to talk to her husbands male friend via E-mail.She says he need spiritual help and I could help him.Sounds like a matching game to me.It has only been 5mos. for me and I don't feel like I can even talk to anyone through e-mail.As far as spiritual help all I know right now is Jesus loves me .Back to basics.My world just feel apart what kind of advice could I give? I cannot focus on anything right now.I know my friend means well but what is she thinking.? Seems very scary to me.Women can be vulerable at this time.I am not going there.Reading different posts in here has given me insight into dating.Can be just another hurtful thing to happen after a great loss.

<<<<<I am not a teacher,preacher or anything else at this stage of my life.I am a widow healing with Gods help.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

This morning a very close friend of mine wants me to talk to her husbands male friend via E-mail.She says he need spiritual help and I could help him.Sounds like a matching game to me.It has only been 5mos. for me and I don't feel like I can even talk to anyone through e-mail.As far as spiritual help all I know right now is Jesus loves me .Back to basics.My world just feel apart what kind of advice could I give? I cannot focus on anything right now.I know my friend means well but what is she thinking.? Seems very scary to me.Women can be vulerable at this time.I am not going there.Reading different posts in here has given me insight into dating.Can be just another hurtful thing to happen after a great loss.

<<<<<I am not a teacher,preacher or anything else at this stage of my life.I am a widow healing with Gods help.

I totally agree with you on all points. Really what IS she thinking? How about on some days YOU might need spiritual help? (not saying you do, but I know the feeling of the pain and loss you feel). You are correct that you aren't really in a position to offer help to someone else. Nor should your very dear friend expect that, or expect you to move on at this point geez. I would very politely tell her just that....all the things you said. You aren't in a position, you don't have the strength, your world just fell apart and you are vulnerable and are just trying to work thru it with Jesus right now. You don't need the added stress of trying to help someone right now. Maybe in the future, but right now you are grieving and it is OK and however long it takes months, years, whatever that too is OK and don't let anyone, friend or foe tell you otherwise. We all grieve differently and no one can decide what's best for us. Only Jesus.

 

[ThyLovingkindness]

This morning a very close friend of mine wants me to talk to her husbands male friend via E-mail.She says he need spiritual help and I could help him.Sounds like a matching game to me.It has only been 5mos. for me and I don't feel like I can even talk to anyone through e-mail.As far as spiritual help all I know right now is Jesus loves me .Back to basics.My world just feel apart what kind of advice could I give? I cannot focus on anything right now.I know my friend means well but what is she thinking.? Seems very scary to me.Women can be vulerable at this time.I am not going there.Reading different posts in here has given me insight into dating.Can be just another hurtful thing to happen after a great loss.

<<<<<I am not a teacher,preacher or anything else at this stage of my life.I am a widow healing with Gods help.

Hi Rememberme, it sounds as if God is there within and about you. Consider your spiritual state prior to hooking up with a man, other than the man Christ Jesus; as widows, He'll supply our need, especially in those early stages. It's good you're reaching out to Christian widows here, you minister to me!

I'm assuming you have a church family, and are availing yourself to a pastor and also mature Christian women who are capable of comfort and guidance. Those early stages of spousal/partner loss can render us so vulnerable, just as you said. God takes care of His widows, sister. Draw close to His Word, I'll provided a few scriptures here... you might want to read them and pray prior to making that phone call. These verses are resolute; still, ours is a Loving God!

"The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down." Psalm 146:9

"The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow." Proverbs 15:25

"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." James 1:27

Blessings!

 

[Rememberme]

Michelle Thank you.She said she would not have him e-mail me.Thank you Lord! I know she means well.Your right I need help spiritually.I understand unless you have been here they have no way of understanding the whole healing process.

Thylovingkindess thanks to you also.You ladies are so great to relate to.I do have a home church and receive comfort in that.I have not joined any groups yet.My energy level is low right now although it could possibly help.Thank you for your kind comment on my posts.

p.s.I have not figured out how the quote thingy works yet.I need to go to the how to page.I can't figure anything out right now.Excuse my sp.I use to spell well.Now I read my posts after I submit them and see spelling mistakes.You all are such a blessing

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

Whew! That's is probably a big relief off your shoulders. And you are correct when you say, they don't understand. No one can understand and even if they do, it's different for everyone. My MIL had 2 children die and yet months after my husband (her son) died she asked me if I was seeing anyone. I said no to which she replied "well what are you going to do? shrivel up and die?" I thought to myself "really?????" So even though she experienced death of her children and also her sister died one day after my husband she still did not understand how I cannot just hook up with another man. Of course she has been married for alot of years now, but it's not her first marriage either so we are quite different.

As far as the quote thing, you just click on quote and their message will pop up in the reply box. You move your cursor down past the last quotation symbol ] go to the next line and start your reply. Hope that helps. But don't sweat the small stuff. We DO understand and whether you can quote or not, it isn't important.

 

[ThyLovingkindness]

Michelle Thank you.She said she would not have him e-mail me.Thank you Lord! I know she means well.Your right I need help spiritually.I understand unless you have been here they have no way of understanding the whole healing process.

Thylovingkindess thanks to you also.You ladies are so great to relate to.I do have a home church and receive comfort in that.I have not joined any groups yet.My energy level is low right now although it could possibly help.Thank you for your kind comment on my posts.

p.s.I have not figured out how the quote thingy works yet.I need to go to the how to page.I can't figure anything out right now.Excuse my sp.I use to spell well.Now I read my posts after I submit them and see spelling mistakes.You all are such a blessing

Hi Rememberme, thanks for checking in, it's great that we can fellowship this way, and your spelling's fine!

So glad to read that you're in church. You know, today's a busy day. But I was thinking just now while eating, of the positive things I did when first widowed. Yeah, I thrust myself deeply into church although I'd been a Christian for awhile. Even got involved in the church choir and some solo singing, although the latter gives me panic attacks, for real!

I also read the Word of God, a lot.

I wish to share something. I had a spiritual experience in a mausoleum at the niche of my late-husband a few days after he died, and I hope I'm not repeating myself as I've told this story many times over the years. I was sitting cross-legged in front of his niche as it was near the floor, and was crying so hard. Then, all of a sudden, this virtually indescribable occurrence of being loved by something tremendous... it encompassed, enveloped, and permeated me... there's no doubt that this was the Holy Ghost. And all of a sudden through my tears I experienced joy, a glory in tribulation, even before I'd read the relevant scripture only 2 days later. God was right there, sister, and I began thanking him aloud for everything I had, verbally going down this list thanking Him in a supernatural way, never shall I forget that, what a blessing it was and is to tell it.

Romans 5:3-5
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

However, life can be a real roller-coaster. But one thing's sure, Jesus is Lord!

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33

One other thing I'd do when first widowed is go for long prayer walks, I'd hash it out with God. All while being busy with an ailing Mom and a home to take care of. But then Mom passed away, and the house was sold and I downsized. And through it all, God has been good. Blessings!

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

Wow what a wonderful experience! I have often felt like I am being hugged when I visit my husband's grave site. I know he is not there, but it's been comforting to go there and talk to God (and him). I remember a few days or a week afterward crying really hard sitting on the couch and kind of asking in my spirit, "Where ARE you babe?" and at that moment kind of out of the corner of my eye I saw him! Not in the physical and it was just a glimpse but he was in these shorts he used to wear except they were white and he was very tan and had long hair like he did in his 30's and he said "I'm right here babe" and that was it. It was just comforting. I also saw a glimpse of my FIL after he passed while we were worshipping at church. He was in a cloud above me in my mind's eye and he was smiling as if to let me know he was very happy where he was. I saw my mom in similar fashion after she passed too. None of these were in the physical, they were all in my mind's eye like a vision or something. It's never happened since but I believe God let them comfort me for a second.

 

[ThyLovingkindness]

Wow what a wonderful experience! I have often felt like I am being hugged when I visit my husband's grave site. I know he is not there, but it's been comforting to go there and talk to God (and him). I remember a few days or a week afterward crying really hard sitting on the couch and kind of asking in my spirit, "Where ARE you babe?" and at that moment kind of out of the corner of my eye I saw him! Not in the physical and it was just a glimpse but he was in these shorts he used to wear except they were white and he was very tan and had long hair like he did in his 30's and he said "I'm right here babe" and that was it. It was just comforting. I also saw a glimpse of my FIL after he passed while we were worshipping at church. He was in a cloud above me in my mind's eye and he was smiling as if to let me know he was very happy where he was. I saw my mom in similar fashion after she passed too. None of these were in the physical, they were all in my mind's eye like a vision or something. It's never happened since but I believe God let them comfort me for a second.

Hi Michelle, yes, on certain special occasions I put flowers on my late-hubby's niche. And you know, there for awhile I stopped doing that because I went through a phase of learning to stand on my own two feet as an independent woman. But within the last year I resumed going to his niche, because the less-than-handful of men I've met do not compare. Male readers, this isn't a put-down, please know this; but more likely my sometimes lacking ability to make wise choices, and/or let go. Indeed, I hope some of the widowers who might be reading this thread are deriving consolation vicariously through the widows who've been contributing.

Anyway and back to the niche visitation, on February 14, which was our wedding day, I went there and put flowers. Sometimes I go and just sit and pray. I let him know that I miss him still, especially after that quasi-brief involvement with a man who wasn't God's will for my life.

Michelle, about getting a glimpse of your late-husband, I had a dream once where my late-husband appeared in a similar fashion to how you describe. In the picture window of our home at the time, where it was dark out and the drapes were opened, he was wearing one of his old, orange running tee-shirts, and I could only see him from the waist up. He floated along horizontally past that window to my right without taking his eyes off of me, then vanished beyond the end of the window. His facial expression was peaceful, which wasn't unusual while he lived.

Also in relationship to your experience, when Dad died, I recall in another dream his coming to visit me, and he too appeared younger. When he approached me in that dream, it was different than an actual human-to-human drawing near; it was more like his image became larger and larger, and thus floated through me then disappeared. While he had problems especially prior to death, in this dream he wore an expression I'd never seen on my Dad. His face revealed joy, I remember him smiling. My Christian niece had a similar dream about Dad (her grandfather), around the same time, upon which my brother and I compared notes.

Now I don't ordinarily place a great deal of emphasis on dreams because more often than not they seem kind of random; but these won't be easily forgotten! Thanks, have a great day... blessings!

 

[Rememberme]

Hi Ladies,how sweet reading your descriptions of moments.All through my husbands illness I sensed Gods presense which is precious.After he passed I felt His presense alsur comforter!!Isn't He wonderful.Also one evening I was really missing my DH bad.I just wanted to see him again.You know the feeling.Well,I just drifting off and I saw my husband in his recliner as I walked around the corner and I was so surprised he was there,in the chair.The joy i felt was beyond!!That must be how it feels when we reunite in heaven.I cannot wait!What a promise we have.Another time I was sitting on my screen room and I saw a shadow picture of my husbands face on our tree.It was another moment of just want to see him when I saw that.Our Lord is so gracious.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

Yes yes yes! God is good ALL the time and I am so thankful for his comfort when no one could comfort me. Even though it has been 7 years for me and I am pretty adjusted to this new life I didn't ask for....I still have kind of a hard time gettin on with life because it's all so futile in comparison to eternity. I know it's all in God's timing and I do press on and do things that need to be done (like weeding my yard, YUK!) but IDK it's kind of hard to describe the feeling. Its not hopelessness or giving up, it's just a non chalant feeling of not worrying too much about things like getting new furniture or whatever. Silly but I still DO care about someday getting my stupid bills paid off and getting my kids thru college but for ME...IDK I'm at peace and I will do whatever the Lord tells me to do IF He makes it clear to me.

 

[ThyLovingkindness]

Hi Ladies,how sweet reading your descriptions of moments.All through my husbands illness I sensed Gods presense which is precious.After he passed I felt His presense alsur comforter!!Isn't He wonderful.Also one evening I was really missing my DH bad.I just wanted to see him again.You know the feeling.Well,I just drifting off and I saw my husband in his recliner as I walked around the corner and I was so surprised he was there,in the chair.The joy i felt was beyond!!That must be how it feels when we reunite in heaven.I cannot wait!What a promise we have.Another time I was sitting on my screen room and I saw a shadow picture of my husbands face on our tree.It was another moment of just want to see him when I saw that.Our Lord is so gracious.

Hi Rememberme, I can relate to the Comforter being present both during my hubby's illness and and of course afterward, as I described. My husband was a spiritual man. He took his illness well, didn't complain nearly as much as I did (partially because I spent time advocating for him as far as the medical profession). He had a heart condition with a defibrillator in his chest. In his earlier years he was a runner, and of course once ill he resorted to walking, which he enjoyed too. He died doing what he enjoyed... and during his early-morning walk! I recall running down the street toward him after I heard that dreaded knock on the door, I had been asleep at the time. At the scene, he was being attended to by a nurse; an MFT came out of her home and held me in her arms; a doctor in a sports car just happened to be swinging around the corner on her way to work... she stopped and got out with cell phone in hand... all the while sirens were increasing in volume in the background. Each one of these people was a neighbor. Now if that wasn't God at work... then what was it?

You know Rememberme, I wanna go to heaven too. But instead, I keep on waking up each day, so Jesus definitely has other plans. By the way, the interaction I'm having with you and others here has been great. Blessings!

 

[ThyLovingkindness]

Yes yes yes! God is good ALL the time and I am so thankful for his comfort when no one could comfort me. Even though it has been 7 years for me and I am pretty adjusted to this new life I didn't ask for....I still have kind of a hard time gettin on with life because it's all so futile in comparison to eternity. I know it's all in God's timing and I do press on and do things that need to be done (like weeding my yard, YUK!) but IDK it's kind of hard to describe the feeling. Its not hopelessness or giving up, it's just a non chalant feeling of not worrying too much about things like getting new furniture or whatever. Silly but I still DO care about someday getting my stupid bills paid off and getting my kids thru college but for ME...IDK I'm at peace and I will do whatever the Lord tells me to do IF He makes it clear to me.

Hahahaha, like weeding your yard, that's funny! That's why I sold the house and downsized. For you, it's weeds... for me? It's dusting, such a drag! Funny also that you should mention new furniture, I have this Victorian settee and the springs in it are shot, but I just can't part with it, so I'm thinking of having it re-upholstered. Having that done is too expensive! So for now I'm careful never to sit on it, it's just there looking antiquish and taking up space... I'm on a budget too, yeah, maybe next year I'll have it done? And about that budget... I ask God, "Hey Lord, can I buy this?" And lately and more often then not, he says, "No!" In other words, I'm listening to him instead of talking over him and then doing whatever I want.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

Hahahaha, like weeding your yard, that's funny! That's why I sold the house and downsized. For you, it's weeds... for me? It's dusting, such a drag! Funny also that you should mention new furniture, I have this Victorian settee and the springs in it are shot, but I just can't part with it, so I'm thinking of having it re-upholstered. Having that done is too expensive! So for now I'm careful never to sit on it, it's just there looking antiquish and taking up space... I'm on a budget too, yeah, maybe next year I'll have it done? And about that budget... I ask God, "Hey Lord, can I buy this?" And lately and more often then not, he says, "No!" In other words, I'm listening to him instead of talking over him and then doing whatever I want.

Ha ha on the BBM part. I am LEARNING to do that, but I still find I do things and then ask for forgiveness afterward or never ask at all. I am just trying to not charge anything and dribble down the debt I incurred of my own stupidity. I may never get it paid off before Jesus comes, but unless he lets me win a contest (cuz I don't play the lotto) this is where I am.

 

[Christianwidow]

Good morning to all you sweet dear friends,
I hope you are having a blessed Friday. As I was reading all the posts on this particular thread, I wanted to share the dream I had in my earlier days of being widowed. My husband was in Heaven for about two months already, and my heart was aching so much. I just wanted to see him again. I cried to the Lord that night and asked if I could just see him one more time. I went to bed and in the middle of the night, my husband walked up to my bed, put out his hand and told me to hold his hand. I told him I couldn't do that because he wasn't real. He said hold my hand. I reached out and touched his hand. How real it was. The next thing I remembered he was laying next to me in the bed and talking to me. I couldn't hear what he was saying. Shortly after that, I woke up and the tears came. I crawled out of bed and fell on my knees and worshipped my Heavenly Father, thanking Him for answering my prayers. I felt so comforted. It was such an overwhelming feeling of love from my Saviour. To this day, I can still remember the dream and the wonderful comfort the Lord gave me that night. I also remember telling my children about the wonderful dream I had. I cried with tears of joy as I told them about it and what a wonderful God we have. Oh how He loves us.

On the other subject of meeting someone else - as a human being, I would have moments of wanting someone else in my life. Then I would think of all the stuff that comes with that, and then I would say foreget it. I would go back and forth with my emotions. Not that there was anyone in my life to make me even have these emotions. It was just part of my journey that I was on. Like a yoyo. One day I wanted to meet someone, and the very next day I wouldn't. Can any of you ladies relate? Anyway, at this part of my pilgrimage, I am content (for now). As I am typing this, I have one of my favorite Scriptures in front of me. "But as it is written, Eye hath no seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." I Corinthians 2:9 I'm chosing to wait on Him.

On another subject - I wanted you girls to know I have been enjoying reading your posts. They are refreshing, encouraging, and a blessing.

Christian Widow

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

Good morning to all you sweet dear friends,
I hope you are having a blessed Friday. As I was reading all the posts on this particular thread, I wanted to share the dream I had in my earlier days of being widowed. My husband was in Heaven for about two months already, and my heart was aching so much. I just wanted to see him again. I cried to the Lord that night and asked if I could just see him one more time. I went to bed and in the middle of the night, my husband walked up to my bed, put out his hand and told me to hold his hand. I told him I couldn't do that because he wasn't real. He said hold my hand. I reached out and touched his hand. How real it was. The next thing I remembered he was laying next to me in the bed and talking to me. I couldn't hear what he was saying. Shortly after that, I woke up and the tears came. I crawled out of bed and fell on my knees and worshipped my Heavenly Father, thanking Him for answering my prayers. I felt so comforted. It was such an overwhelming feeling of love from my Saviour. To this day, I can still remember the dream and the wonderful comfort the Lord gave me that night. I also remember telling my children about the wonderful dream I had. I cried with tears of joy as I told them about it and what a wonderful God we have. Oh how He loves us.

On the other subject of meeting someone else - as a human being, I would have moments of wanting someone else in my life. Then I would think of all the stuff that comes with that, and then I would say foreget it. I would go back and forth with my emotions. Not that there was anyone in my life to make me even have these emotions. It was just part of my journey that I was on. Like a yoyo. One day I wanted to meet someone, and the very next day I wouldn't. Can any of you ladies relate? Anyway, at this part of my pilgrimage, I am content (for now). As I am typing this, I have one of my favorite Scriptures in front of me. "But as it is written, Eye hath no seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." I Corinthians 2:9 I'm chosing to wait on Him.

On another subject - I wanted you girls to know I have been enjoying reading your posts. They are refreshing, encouraging, and a blessing.

Christian Widow

What a wonderful blessing God gave to you! Your story gave me chills as I read it (in a good way but real chills). As far as the meeting someone new, I totally relate and have the exact same feelings! My line is that I am not ready to train someone else lol. My husband wasn't fully trained when he left lol. But when I think about the energy and effort it would take to build something even half way close to what I had with my husband, just the thought alone drains me emotionally! Now I might get a surge of energy in a different direction if someone really did try to pursue me that I was likewise interested in, but in the mean time, I too, am content where I am and ready to do (or not do) whatever the Lord wants me to.

 

[ThyLovingkindness]

Ha ha on the BBM part. I am LEARNING to do that, but I still find I do things and then ask for forgiveness afterward or never ask at all. I am just trying to not charge anything and dribble down the debt I incurred of my own stupidity. I may never get it paid off before Jesus comes, but unless he lets me win a contest (cuz I don't play the lotto) this is where I am.

Good afternoon Michelle, how are you? Ummm... clue me in, what does "BBM" mean? Still learning the jargon, be patient with the poor dear... {me... }...

Once again I relate to your post, I'm a sinner while a lover of Christ who loved me first... you know, as I answer you the following scripture infiltrates my head, so here it is,

Romans 6:1-4
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

I recall talking with a senior and saintly woman about life as a Christian, and she said that it's impossible for us not to sin while still on earth (Jesus, come quickly... Thy will be done!). This is a lady who along with her husband is active in music ministry and has been a Christian since the age of 12. She's now in her 80's... and still going strong. My point is, that regardless of the length of time we've been saved, we all have crosses to bear. So a sinner with a repentant heart and through our mediator, His name's Jesus, we can be reconciled to an holy God. Now that's praiseworthy, don'tcha think? Hallelujah!