Saturday, November 06, 2010

Do-Overs... Editing Life's Blunders


Don't you love cut and paste?!
I've been wearing my editor's hat for the last couple of weeks. I love being able to get articles print-ready. Copy. Paste. Arrange whole paragraphs with a click of a mouse. Do overs are so much easier than when I needed to use Wite Out®.
Makes me wish I could edit my life like that too. As much as I would like to erase things I am not proud of, I can't undo what's been done. Once a word is spoken, I can't delete it. It already reached its intended target. I can apologize and I should, but the wound remains. I can be pretty hard on myself when I blow it. It's not easy to feel forgiven. I need to be willing to learn from my mistakes and move on. I may not be able to do-over, but I can start fresh.

One thing that amazes me is God's willingness to white out past wrongs. He says as far as the east is from the west; that's how far he has removed the junk we have done from us. He tosses them into the depths of the sea and remembers them no more. He washes our dark stains so they become as white as snow. Amazing. No one else in the world has that power. No other religious figure reaches down to us, pulls us out of the muck of our own making and gives us a new Spirit.
And, all the junk we did do, he redeems it, makes it count for something. Our pain is turned into power when we are able to help someone else who struggles. Our heart becomes flesh rather than stone and we begin to see things through God's eyes. He takes the broken shards of what was and creates something new and beautiful and whole from them. And through the scars and cracks, His light shines for others to see.

When we come to Christ, we have the chance of a do-over. A new life. A new heart. A new creation. Amazing!

Forgiven,

Jeanne
Psalm 103:12; Isaiah 1:18, 43:25; Jeremiah 31:34; Micah 7:18-19; 2 Corinthians 5:17

19 comments:

  1. Without the dark we would not know the light.

    Without mistakes we would not know forgiveness.

    A wonderful blog Jeanne.

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  2. Constantly amazed at His love and grace!

    Jeanne

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  3. I completely agree with Thomas! When you put things into perspective, they are a lot easier to see!

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  4. Really like what you said about turning our mistakes into power when we help others who struggle over what we've struggled.

    Nice post!

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  5. Would you mind teaching me how to add the feature for folks to automatically receive an email when I post a new article?

    Thank you so much, Jean

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  6. Of course, Jean. Email with the website I used for instructions is on the way.

    Jeanne

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  7. Lori & Jean Ann,

    Thanks for your comments. The Lord is so gracious for our human failings. He knows we can't measure up--that's why He provided a way to bridge the gap through Jesus' death and resurrection. Forgiveness and right relationship with Him--Such a precious gift.

    Jeanne

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  8. Beautiful picture of grace, Jeanne! And I hate to say it, but I remember when we didn't even have Wite Out!

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  9. Vonda,
    Same here. I remember using carbon paper and then wanting erasable typing paper for my school reports. But, how much more we appreciate all of this technology.

    :) Jeanne

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  10. Loved the analogy and the reminder that God can redeem my mistakes. Thank you!

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  11. Thanks for stopping by Ana :)

    Jeanne

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  12. Lovely thoughts about the forgiveness God offers us through Jesus Christ. Lovely thoughts to add grace to a lovely photo. Blessings, Cass

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  13. Do you remember the song that goes like this, "He gives beauty for ashes, strength for fear, gladness for mourning, peace for despair..."? I thought of that song when I read your post. Thank you for refreshing words. I like white out, the tape runner kind. And I always keep it nearby. And to think, God makes us as white as snow...Amen!

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  14. Cass,

    When we realize that forgiveness and grace have already been accomplished on the cross. He forgave; He forgives; He will forgive. Past, present and future.
    We only need to recognize the gift and accept it.
    Amazing love, how can it be?

    Jeanne

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  15. Katy,
    I will need to get the words to the song. Thanks for sharing that.

    Washed clean by the blood of the lamb. The perfect sacrifice offered for us.

    Jeanne

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  16. Blessings to you, Jeanne, and good work on your blog. I wanted you to know I received your card today and am enjoying your site.

    In Chirst
    Janie

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  17. Thank you, Janie. It is so good to hear from you!!

    Hugs,
    Jeanne

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  18. Not only does the Lord forgive us for our mistakes, but He then uses them to teach us and to glorify Himself through the messes we create. What an awesome God we serve!

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  19. Definitely something to be thankful for!!!

    Wishing you and your family and wonderful Thanksgiving.

    Hugs,
    Jeanne

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