I am thankful for bad decisions, divorced parents, an absent alcoholic and now deceased dad, bad boyfriends, depression, an eating disorder, a colicky baby, an overactive toddler, marriage counseling, and multiple insecurities.
Because it makes me thankful for the grace I didn't deserve, the redemption I didn't know was possible, and the transformations that made me who I am.
I'm thankful for life. For all it's ups and downs, goods and bads. It breaks me heart I had to go through some of things I did, mostly because of poor, immature decisions, but they are what connects me to a broken and hurting world.
I am not better than anyone, whether I made good decisions or bad, I am no better. I am a sinner just like the rest of the world, and I am saved by the grace of God. I am forgiven. Daily. Moment by moment. I mess up-He shows me grace, love and mercy.
Because of this, I can not judge those around me. I can not judge when that young girl says she's "in love" with that guy I know is a complete loser. I can not judge when those newlyweds can't stop fighting over who cleans the bathroom and who takes out the trash. I can not judge when those first time parents tell me their baby is "the spawn of Satan" because they haven't slept in days and their baby hasn't stopped crying for hours. And I can not judge when that young pastor's wife is full of bitterness towards the church for turning their backs on her pain.
I can not judge.
But I can love.
I can love that poor confused sinner through the seemingly toughest time in their life. I can say to them, "I understand, how can I help?" instead of letting them feel the weight of another person's judgement on their weary soul. I can show up at their house and hold their screaming baby for one hour while they go breathe some fresh air and find the will power to fight through one more day. I can sit across from that young girl for hours as she talks about how the guy she thought loved her crushed her heart and I can tell her about how God has someone so much better in mind for her and it's worth the wait. I can offer truth to that young pastor's wife about how God never lets us down even though people will and His church, though full of imperfect people, is worth fighting for. I can talk to angry newlyweds about how to take care of their marriage and work as a team, fighting against Satan together, instead of each other.
I can love because He first loved me.
1 John 4:19
Because grace is all over my life. I won't pretend any different. I am not perfect. My life has not been perfect. But it's redeemed by a perfect God that wants the world to know His love.
"He comforts us in our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us."
2 Corinthians 1:4
Let Him comfort you. Give Him everything. All the hurt, all the pain, all your sin, all your temptations. Give it up. Confess your sins to a trusted friend. You can't keep it all locked up inside. If you do, Satan will run you into the ground. Give it all to God and He'll run you into grace.
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
James 5:16
God can use your weaknesses, your mistakes and your pains to touch the hearts of the hurting people around you. Don't be afraid. Even if you have never experienced their hurt, sympathize with them. Don't judge them. They need your love. They need God's love. We all do.
"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses,
so that Christ's power may rest on me."
2 Corinthians 12:9
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