Grace.

I just read a pretty interesting article written by a pastor and his wish to offer love to the LGBT community when they so often receive judgement and hatred from Christians. I'm not here to write about that or my view on that, but a quote he used in his post that was eye opening.

"There is someone that I love even though I don't approve of what he does. There is someone I accept though some of his thoughts and actions revolt me. There is someone I forgive though he hurts the people I love the most. That person is...... me." - C.S. Lewis

Wow. Isn't that the truth. And isn't it the truth that if Jesus extends such grace towards us that He forgives every dastardly thing we may say or do, and loves us in such a way that we don't deserve... that we should love and forgive ourselves? That we should love who we are and not dwell on things we've done? And if we are able to forgive and love ourselves, should we not love others that way as well? To give them grace and forgiveness and love?

Easier said than done, many times yes. But I think that should be our goal. Which seems like it would be common sense, but for a lot of Christians I don't think they realize that. How many Christians have I seen (myself included sometimes) who have passed judgement on a person or situation without grace or forgiveness? We are called to follow Jesus and be like Him, but I think as a mass group we've really failed at that many times.

If I have learned anything in the past the three years of my life, it's not to make a judgement call on a person or situation based on someone else's view or opinion. I refuse to do that anymore. "Well  this person thisthisthis..." JUDGED. "Well this church thisthisthis..." JUDGED. "Well *celebrity of choice here* thisthisthis..." JUDGED. "Thisthisthis.... thatthatthat..." JUDGED.

I am so done with judging. I am overwhelmed by the stress it brings my life. I can no longer judge anyone on what someone else says about them, or because of what someone on the internet says about them. No more. I want to give second chances, and grace, and forgiveness. I want to be like Jesus. Should something arise that can't be moved past, or if Jesus speaks to me about something, I will listen. But I have seen enough hurt and loss lately that I can no longer judge by the world's standards.

Another thing I want to work on is forgiving myself. Forgiving myself for judgments I shouldn't have made, for hurtful things I may have done or said, for being human. I really hate being human sometimes. But, I am a human, and need to forgive myself when I act like one instead of Jesus.

I do want to be like Jesus though. I want people to look at me and think "I want what she has. I want that peace, that love, that confidence, that strength." I want to be so like Jesus that people want to know Him like I do. I don't want to seem arrogant, or know-it-all, or pushy. I want to be grace-filled, and Spirit-filled, and peaceful, and confident in my faith so when trials arise I stand strong in my Savior, unwavering, without fear or trepidation.

And I am working on it. Jesus made me a new person and works in me daily. But when I mess up, please have grace with me. I will give the same to you as well. <3