I used to wish I could expunge my past like you can a criminal record. I could erase every mistake, every humiliation and every thing negative about my life. A clean slate.
At my previous job I did expungements. And I loved it. It felt like each record being erased was a gift of a fresh start, new hope and freedom. We all deserve freedom from an unpleasant and embarrassing past.
But erasing your past doesn’t erase what really happened and it definitely doesn’t erase those people who refuse to let your past go, does it?
The ones who keep a record of every fault and failure. The ones who keep a tab on your life to somehow boost theirs. Aiding in diminishing their internal hurt temporarily while increasing yours.
Oh how I know these people exist! They will always exist. But their power doesn’t have to. You weaken that power every time you remind yourself of these things:
FIRST: Those mistakes broke you down and built you back up stronger, better and wiser my friend!
If you’re like me the broken part led you to God – who forgave you the second you asked. Erasing all record of sins, iniquities & transgressions. And, restored a clean and new heart. Psalms 51:1( all of it!)
SECOND: If you had never failed you would be sooo boring and blah. No one wants that. š Failures bring life, stories, lessons and experience turns into a beautiful gift of insight. And, humility. We need that.
THIRD: You’re not them. You’re healing yourself instead of hurting others. That’s brave! That’s bad-ass.
FOURTH: You’re learning and living in forgiveness. Both for yourself and others. And, learning to accept God’s.
FIFTH: You are NOT here to please man. You’re here to please God.
And, SIXTH: What other people think of us is none of our business. Their judgment matters none. There is only one Judge and he loves you completely.
Your record is clean and clear with me. Always ā„ļø
Just Jesus and Jess 