It was on this day last year that I walked into the doors of
Mercy Ministries in Lincoln, California, as a very numb individual—broken on
the inside, but desperately trying to keep it together for those on the outside.
I was hopeless and miserable. But it was then that I walked into a literal and
tangible example of God’s grace and love and mercy.
As I think about then now, I’m completely overwhelmed with
emotion. My heart is humbled as I am reminded just how relentless His pursuit
of me has been. Over and over again He
has proven Himself to me. Even in my worst moments, He has shown Himself
faithful, and He has done nothing but demonstrate His love for me.
His love that is patient. His love that is kind. That is
neither arrogant nor rude, irritable nor resentful. His love that does not
rejoice in my wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. His love that bears all
things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.
So tonight—1 year; 52 weeks; 365 days later—I am nothing but
thankful. Thankful for the heart of my Father. Thankful for a place like MercyMinistries where the broken can find healing. Thankful for my family and my
friends who have faithfully walked beside me and seen me through, and who continue to do so. And thankful
for this life He has allowed me to live, and for the future He has planned.
May the journey this next year be filled with growth and Love just the
same.
