Are you struggling with past regrets?  Maybe you are asking, “How can God use me? I can’t help others when my past is full of mistakes—bad mistakes.”

That dilemma reminds me of a walkway I saw recently.  It wasn’t straight.  It had a couple of curves in it as it wound through the yard.  The flat stones were not all the same color.  Some were light in color and had a few sparkles as the sun shone down.  But some were darker in color and looked flawed.  However, with a sturdy foundation and the right mortar, those pieces came together to form a beautiful walkway.

I thought of those who have things in their past that they wish were not there. Jesus is a master at using those flaws to make something beautiful.  So, I encourage you to sit with Jesus a while.  Let Him clean up those rough areas and give you the foundation that will make you strong and useful in His service.

I encourage you to pray the prayer that King David prayed in Psalm 51:1-12 (NIV).  I especially like verse 7, “Cleanse me…, and I will be whiter than snow.” David also reminds us in Psalm 145:8 and14 (NIV), “The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made…The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.”  That includes you, friend.

Some may ask, “Aren’t you encouraging people to sin and make bad decisions?” The Apostle Paul answers that quite well in his teaching about grace. “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” (Romans 6:1-2 NIV) 

“Father, I bring my sin and failures to you.  I accept Jesus’ sacrifice for me.  Please help me to live the life You intended for me. Thank you, amen.”

I am a retired teacher trying to point others to Jesus. Contact