Never too bad or too late

There are times in my life when I think I'm pretty unlovable. I've distanced myself from everything I hold true or know to be right. I feel like a total idiot, failure....looser with a capital "L" branded into my forehead. If I knew where to turn in my resignation to the Human Race...I would. We all feel like that from time to time. Unworthy, unacceptable ...just "un". And rightly so. But here's something to think about. Ezekiel 16 shares an allegory about Jerusalem as a young girl. (read You and Me) I came into this world with literally nothing. Was given everything. Didn't appreciate what I had and threw it all away. Guilty, convicted of my deeds I stand without defense. Yet Mercy is shown by the very One I have offended. The kind of mercy that puts my whole life in perspective. The kind that makes me humbly aware of my poverty and His benevolence. The kind of mercy that makes me speechless in awe of the kind of love that would reach out to me in my weakness and treachery.

So now I want to be different. Better. And better appreciate a second, third, fourth, ......chance to do right.
Here's the deal. God knows exactly who I am and where I have come from. He sees all my faults and loves me anyway. I fall - sin and try to leave Him. Even use the very gifts He has given me to glorify myself and gain the things He despises. Yet He still loves me and offers forgiveness. He is Sovereign, Loving, Merciful...Amazing. And I dare not trivialize His Grace and Mercy nor the gifts entrusted me.

One last thing. I really like Romans 8 where it says "what can separate me from the love of God?" In short, nothing. He's always ready to listen and forgive. You probably heard this story: An elderly couple pulled up to a stoplight. A red convertible with a young couple pulled up next to them. The old woman looked over at the young pair. The girl was practically sitting in the lap of the guy driving. From her side of the bench seat, the woman looked at her husband and asked, "why aren't we like that anymore?" to which he simply answered, "I ain't moved."