My first individual confession

This Monday I went to my very first individual confession which is something I've wanted do you since becoming a Lutheran, but I was always afraid that my priest would have something better to do (a very poor excuse for putting off confession for over a year). I decided that it was time for me to go, despite being terrified of what my priest would think of me. The hours leading up to my first confession was an odd mixture of excitement and terror. I spend all day praying that: God would give me the courage to confess what was really troubling me, God would give me the straight to not chicken out (which I though about a lot), and my priest opinion of me would change when I was done confessing.


I was so nervous about going that I came very close to having a car accident on my way to the church (which was a first for me). I got there 15 minutes early so I took that time to examine my heart, and to pray the rosary. When it was time to go into the church that nervous feeling started building up again. I walked into the sanctuary, where Fr. Peters was sitting at the piano. Fr. Peters first explain how confession worked, then we said a Psalm responsively (which was made difficult by the fact that I was nervous and that I get nervous when reading aloud infront of others). After the Psalm, Fr. Peters went through the Ten Commandments and then after the general confession, I confessed what was really troubling me.

After absolution I felt so much better, and so much less depressed. My family and friends have noticed a huge change (for the better) in my overall demeanor. Individual confession is something I'd most certaintly suggest to EVERY Christian who's church body offers it.