I Am Not the Sum of My Mistakes
By Pamela Van Atta
In order to write this article, I must first confess a mistake. Actually since the word mistake in the title is plural, I should confess more than one. And since I own an entire portfolio of mistakes, the difficulty now becomes which mistakes should I choose.
As I sit here reminiscing on my past atrocities, I begin to think, "How can God stand me?" I mean I'm selfish, rude, and lazy. I've pretty much broken every commandment on multiple occasions. I married a man who pretty much broke every commandment on multiple occasions. Then we had two kids who have broken all but two commandments.
Talk about falling short of God's glory. So I asked God, "Why do you even bother with me?" I questioned him, “Considering your greatness, and my ineptness, why do you care?”
"Because your mine," God said. Every time I sit and let myself feel those words, it heals me in some way. Song 2:4 says, "He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love" (KJV). One of my favorite pastimes is feasting on God's love for me.
Just this morning I went outside and sat for 5 minutes. In those 5 minutes, I gave God permission to love me. I just allowed it to fall from heaven, where he sits on his throne, and I let it build up in my heart, where his Son’s sweet presence dwells.
Words cannot describe God's love. His love feels like joy, it feels like you have something really exciting to tell someone, but you can't put your finger on what it is. His love is tender and gentle, yet overpowering, and enormous. His love delights in me, delights in my soul and my personality. And merely feeling his love, changes me.
So I realize, I am not the sum of my mistakes. No, not at all. What am I? I am loved. Yes, that's what I am. I am loved.
Bio
Pamela Van Atta is the founder of Healing Works Ministry, which provides affordable biblical teaching to kids and adults. Prior to her work in ministry, Pamela spent a decade working in rehab as an Occupational Therapist, but found physical healing incomparable to spiritual healing. Today, she speaks at various organizations to facilitate a deeper relationship with God. To contact Pamela, please see her website at www.healingworksministry.com.
By Pamela Van Atta
In order to write this article, I must first confess a mistake. Actually since the word mistake in the title is plural, I should confess more than one. And since I own an entire portfolio of mistakes, the difficulty now becomes which mistakes should I choose.
As I sit here reminiscing on my past atrocities, I begin to think, "How can God stand me?" I mean I'm selfish, rude, and lazy. I've pretty much broken every commandment on multiple occasions. I married a man who pretty much broke every commandment on multiple occasions. Then we had two kids who have broken all but two commandments.
Talk about falling short of God's glory. So I asked God, "Why do you even bother with me?" I questioned him, “Considering your greatness, and my ineptness, why do you care?”
"Because your mine," God said. Every time I sit and let myself feel those words, it heals me in some way. Song 2:4 says, "He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love" (KJV). One of my favorite pastimes is feasting on God's love for me.
Just this morning I went outside and sat for 5 minutes. In those 5 minutes, I gave God permission to love me. I just allowed it to fall from heaven, where he sits on his throne, and I let it build up in my heart, where his Son’s sweet presence dwells.
Words cannot describe God's love. His love feels like joy, it feels like you have something really exciting to tell someone, but you can't put your finger on what it is. His love is tender and gentle, yet overpowering, and enormous. His love delights in me, delights in my soul and my personality. And merely feeling his love, changes me.
So I realize, I am not the sum of my mistakes. No, not at all. What am I? I am loved. Yes, that's what I am. I am loved.
Bio
Pamela Van Atta is the founder of Healing Works Ministry, which provides affordable biblical teaching to kids and adults. Prior to her work in ministry, Pamela spent a decade working in rehab as an Occupational Therapist, but found physical healing incomparable to spiritual healing. Today, she speaks at various organizations to facilitate a deeper relationship with God. To contact Pamela, please see her website at www.healingworksministry.com.
copyright © 2008 Pamela Van Atta. All rights reserved.