I could make an extensive list of my strengths and make myself look remarkable on paper. I could also make a list of my faults and make myself look like a criminal.
Either way, I’m not perfect.
So here I am…divorcee, preacher's kid, daughter, sister, aunt, book lover, self -proclaimed comedienne, smart mouth, friend, television enthusiast…good and bad this is what I have to offer…
I may look like a mess on paper, may not be much to look at yet, but God sees something in me and still trusts me with His genuine message. I am not perfect, I am not always right, I do not always handle things the right way, and I have certainly had my fair share of struggle, but I am redeemed. Merriam Webster Dictionary says redeemed means “to buy back, win back, free from distresses or harms, free from captivity, release from blame or debt, free from the consequences of sin!” I say again- I am REDEEMED.
I believe in redemption so strong that it can make a broken, struggling Christian believe that she can encourage others with her story, with her prayers, with the Truth… That truth for me is not whose daughter I am, though I’m very honored to be a part of my family. It's not about how old I am, though I'm proud of my age. It's not about who I married or who I divorced…It's not about the time I spent running from God or how many tears I have cried.. It's about how all of those things helped me discover what was in me, what I was capable of facing!
The greatest thing about going through hell is – you come out on fire! There has been a fire set deep within my soul. A fire that I refuse to let the enemy put out. A fire that will burn out all of the junk that has tried to embed itself into my spirit.
I’m far from a picture of perfection. But my God is beyond perfect. He loved me when I couldn’t love myself. He loved me when I didn’t love Him. He loved me when I was a hot mess, when I was full of mistakes and regrets, when I didn’t deserve to be loved.
He loved me.
He loves me.
I pray that my life is proof of His love.
He is my strength, my shield from every danger. I trusted in Him. And He helped me. Joy rises in my heart until I burst out in songs of praise to Him. Psalm 28:7
