• I Love You and Forgave You A Long Time Ago

    By: Kristen L. McNulty

    Reprint rights available on request. Email the author at kristenmcnulty@hotmail.com.

    Many years ago a story was told about two close friends, Audrey and Sarah. They were as close as friends could get, until one day for reasons that Audrey wouldn’t be able completely understand looking back, she said harsh words to Sarah and cut off all contact.

    Time went by and one day Audrey and Sarah ran into each other. Sarah stopped and talked to Audrey and seemed genuinely happy to see Audrey. Something about that small act of grace caused the words to start tumbling out of Audrey’s mouth. She said she was very sorry about what had happened and regretted it almost immediately. There had been many days and months and moments when she wanted to pick up the phone and call Sarah, but she never did because she was convinced Sarah hated her and would never be able to forgive her.

    Sarah replied, "hate you? I don't hate you. I love you and forgave you a long time ago."

    Believing There Was No Way Back


    I love you and forgave you a long time ago.  While Audrey had stayed away from Sarah, believing that there was no way back and that forgiveness was far beyond her reach, Sarah had long forgiven her. Audrey had needlessly lived in fear, shame and self-loathing for far too long. 

    Many of us can relate with Audrey's story. When we royally mess up, lies get whispered into our minds that we've gone too far, we've messed up too badly and that we are far beyond the reach of grace. It's sad when we buy into that lie when we've messed up relationships with other people, but it's a tragedy when we allow our sin to keep us away from God. Why? Because no matter how hard the enemy tries to convince you and I of otherwise, God stands with arms wide open, ready to welcome us back into his embrace. Every. Single. Time.

    He Leaves The 99


    The Bible tells us exactly how God views us when we get off the right path. He leaves the 99 to find the 1 who was lost as we see in the parable in Luke 15.

    The Bible tells us, in the story of the prodigal son, exactly how God feels about the one who was rebelled and squandered everything. He stands, arms open, watching the horizon and awaiting our return. And when we do turn back, He runs out to meet us, embrace us and assure us of His love (Luke 15).

    If you've found yourself far away from God, instead of believing the lies that you've gone too far, look at what God’s Word has to say. Over and over again, we are assured that isn’t the case.

    "The LORD is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love." Psalm 145:8

    "But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness." 1 John 1:9   

    "Return to the LORD your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish." Joel 2:13

    If you've allowed your sin to put up a wall between you and God, tear it down! Turn to Him, ask for forgiveness and allow His grace to wash over you. Don't wait even another day, month or season before allowing yourself to receive the forgiveness He offers you.

    Words of Grace


    God gave me these words of grace a long time ago and I've shared them before, but allow me to close with sharing them again. "And we will mess up. We will hold on when we should have let go. We will walk away when we should have run. We will go when we should have stayed and we will hurt others when we should have loved. But God forgives, He forgets, and best of all, He restores." (Taken from the book Closed Doors)

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