Never Too Late

Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat. 2 Samuel 12:20

I grew up in a preacher's home, so most people assume I'm "sheltered". That's really quite innaccurate. There's a world of difference between being innocent and being ignorant. The truth of the matter is, people in and around the ministry see far more hurt and suffering, shame and guilt, sin and failure than others do. The ministry deals with those things all day, every day. It shows the ugliest side of the ugly. If one thinks they can go into the ministry to escape the worst parts of life, they're sorely mistaken. I've seen more people make a mess of their lives than I care to count. I've watched people make mistakes they'll carry with them for years...maybe forever. I've witnessed the ashes of individuals and families and churches and friendships. I've known the ones too ashamed to tell any but a select few their past...or their present. I've listened to the sighs and sobs of people broken by their decisions and actions. And I don't think I'll ever get used to people making foolish choices that will cost them greatly.

But those stories don't have to end there. God can and will lift you from the ashes. David's story didn't end with the death of his child. He got back up, he went on, and he accomplished much. I'm so glad that the most life-altering mistakes we can ever make cannot seperate us from God's love. I'm glad that He will never, ever turn His back on us. I'm glad that it's never too late.