December 17

Forgive my failures as a young man, and overlook the sins of my immaturity. Give me grace, Lord! Always look at me through your eyes of love— your forgiving eyes of mercy and compassion. When you think of me, see me as one you love and care for. How good you are to me"! Psalm 25:6-7 (TPT)

I think we have all experienced those painful  or dismissive glances, when others see us through their own lenses of expectations, or who they feel we should be. Their disappointment and dissatisfaction plainly showing, and as our own shame washed over us, as a nagging sense of inadequacy rears its ugly head. Words spoken, glances given, can cut to the core of who we think we are, or who we so long to be.
 
But, dear one, fully accepted in the Beloved, here is something greater than all of this, for there is One Who sees you as you truly are—all the trying you have done and the trials you have endured.  All the sharing you have given and the shortcomings you are more than aware of. In His goodness and His grace, God tells you the truth—not as others define you by their own measuring sticks, wants, or needs. Instead, He sees the heart of the growing, changing, loving, and learning, joy of His heart, you will always be! 
 
He understands your story, inside and out, from beginning to end, He is well acquainted with all your ways. With great compassion and unending mercy, He places you in the centre of His love, in the life you were designed to live—fully accepted in your Beloved Jesus—made whole and complete!
 
Leave behind the pain of the past, mis-steps, failures, short-comings, along with all that wants to hem you in, or hold you back. There is not one, save Christ Jesus our Lord, who is free from these very things, and it is these things, beloved one, that His eyes of love sees past, and beyond.

You belong to Him, dear heart. He sees you in the beauty of how you were created, formed in His heart of love; held in the palm of His hand. Your God loves you just exactly as you are, and His constant and unwavering care for you, will unconditionally love you into all you are destined to be!

Prayer:

Love me today, dearest Lord, I pray, into all that I am meant to be. Help me to leave behind the failures that burden me, the regrets, and the shame, and step instead into the light of Your truth and Your life-giving ways.

I know it is important to look back, Father, so I don’t make the same mistakes again, but let me look back only with the eyes of redemption, as you do, so that I don’t remain stuck in shame or regret, but can learn and grow by grace, and look ahead with You instead, to all You desire and have designed.

Gracious God, I receive Your mercy and grace, today, Your restoration and Your truth. I echo the words of the Psalmist, and with a grateful heart, I say, “How good, how very good, you are to me!”