Who is your Junk Collector?

Earlier this week a friend posted a link to an article about the importance and health of talking to yourself.  I commented that my mother talked to herself all of the time and I felt that she was talking to God about the problems and joys of being a busy farmwife and mother. I often find myself doing the same thing!! 


Last evening I attended the wedding of a great niece.  It was a Catholic wedding and the priest made several important points in his homily.  He said that he believed there are three things that make for a better marriage:

1. Praying together daily. 
2. Making church attendance together weekly a priority
1. Church is where you are often "stabbed" by God's word
2. Church is where you gather with others who are on this journey
3. Going to confession regularly.  He said that he has several names for Jesus including the Good Shepherd but he said that his favorite name for Jesus is "the Junk Collector".  He stated that the devil's goal is to separate us from Jesus through our sin and when we dump our junk....our sins on Jesus in confession, we are better able to enjoy this abundant life. It is the Catholic tradition to go to confession, while I believe that we can go directly to Jesus with our junk rather than go through a priest. However there is something very comforting in having someone say that your sins are forgiven.

So what does this have to do with healthy eating?  I believe that if we have not acknowledged our sin and gotten rid of it, it can lead to overeating or unhealthy eating.  It can also lead to anger and resentment and fighting and harsh words and sleeplessness and a host of other things that are not healthy.


These are the words we most often hear in the Lutheran (ELCA) tradition:


If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from unrighteousness. 


"We confess that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves.  We have sinned against you in thought, word and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone.  We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our  neighbors as ourselves.  For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.  Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name.  Amen


Then the Pastor pronounces the forgiveness of our sins in the name of Jesus.  I believe we can be assured of that forgiveness if we are sincere in our confession, even without someone pronouncing it. 


So do you dump your junk on Jesus? Do you tell someone else about your troubles, joys and concerns or does it come out in other ways in your life?  I am grateful for the reminders this week to talk to Jesus.  I am grateful for a mother (and father) who were comfortable bringing their troubles to Jesus. I am grateful for this opportunity to learn from others whether it is from a link shared or a sermon given at a wedding.   I am grateful for forgiveness without condemnation.


 My wish for you is that you can "dump your junk" and receive and believe in your forgiveness.