Good News From The Good Book

Have you ever had one of those "ah-ha" moments (as I call them) where you feel like God is seriously trying to speak to you? I mean , not audibly, of course, but through the written word? Specifically scripture? I'm always extremely humbled that the Alpha and Omega of the universe would even want to have anything to do with me, much less try to tell me something. Especially when that something is going to benefit me in some way. I feel like such a wretch, sometimes, and yet God is so faithful to forgive me, to love me, and willing to make me a better human being. It's far better than I deserve, really.

It's easy to jump on the bandwagon with that "mob mentality" when the media decides to publicly crucify the celebrity of the month when they step out of line. Suddenly, Tiger Woods and Jesse James are the most hated men in America and water coolers everywhere are a-buzz with what has sent Kate Gosling over the edge this time. I've been there. I've judged. I've added MY two-cents worth, thinking in some way I had some authority to do so. Hmmph. And then the proverbial light goes on.

Who am I to judge? I was certainly not the poster child for decent living in my younger years. I'm so thankful that my private life was not and IS not on display on every magazine cover or news cast for all to see. And I'm not even going to discuss what you'd think of me if I had a camera crew following me and the kids around on any given Monday afternoon. There have been times I would have made Kate Gosling look like Mother Teresa. And I don't bring up my past (or my, at times, volatile present) to keep myself under some yoke of shame or unforgiveness, but to simply say that God has forgiven me of MUCH. And still does. Daily. :) I'm a work in progress. We ALL are. The family member who made a remark about my weight. The friend who let me down. The church member that hurt my feelings. Tiger Woods. ALL works in progress. ALL going to flub it up. ALL in need of forgiveness. And at the very least, to not be judged.

Two pieces of scripture stood out to me from another blog that I read. They were:
"He who sits on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.'" Revelation 21:5 a. and
"I will restore to you the years that the swarming locusts have eaten." Joel 2:25
With a convicted heart, I can come to the throne of God and ask for His forgiveness. Renewing a right spirit within me, He allows me to grow into more of the type of person He wants me to be and less of the person that I was/ am on my own. Thank you, God, for making me new. Cuz let's face it, there were MANY years that I let the locusts devour all they wanted of my life. It was a choice. I knew better, but chose the wrong path. But God says He will restore those years to me. And I SO don't deserve it. But that's just how God is. Merciful. Compassionate. Full of grace. Completely and totally awesome. Can I get an amen? :D