***This is a tale for all those who believe Jesus died for them but still worry and are fearful about salvation and redemption. If you believe Christ died for you, keep personal accountability for your actions so you can learn and grow as a person, but beyond that isn't it time you let yourself fall into His arms? Isn't it He that holds you and not the other way around? ***
There once was a girl who was told that no matter what, her Daddy would save her and love her - always. He said His love was unconditional, there was nothing Sally could ever do to un-earn His love. Indeed, if she ever struck out against Him, He'd know she was more in need of His Love than ever.
Well, Sally grew up just fine and the apple of her Daddy's eye. Her Daddy grew older and she fretted about mistakes she'd made. "Now," she thought, "now I am a bad person, Daddy doesn't like folks who loose their temper and I do it all the time!" Sally called her Dad. "Dad, I lost my temper. I'm bad, you can't love me anymore!"
Her Dad chuckled kindly, "Sally, Sally, Sally, I love you forever and always. It doesn't matter about these things. How many people did you murder today?"
Sally pursed her lips. "Oh, Dad, you know I didn't do that!"
Her Father continued. "How many people did you deliberately run down with that beat up old chevvy you insist on driving?"
Sally sighed, "None, Daddy."
"Right then," said Dad, "I might it a wee bit tough if you go on a killing rampage, but other than that, it doesn't matter to me a jot."
"Really?" said Sally.
"What kind of Father would demand perfection? You're human, you fail, get over yourself. Get back up, keep walking. Learn from the mistake, improve, isn't that all we can do?"
"Okay," said Sally, "I love you too, Dad."
Her Dad laughed, "Sally, did I ever tell you about the time I was so sun baked I lost my cool in a traffic jam and shouted until I was red in the face? Did I tell you about the time I lost my temper and smacked you when you were an itty bitty girl? Did I tell you about the time I stole candy when I was twelve?"
Sally didn't know what to say. Then the words came out more easily than she'd been expecting. "So what? I still love you, you great dope!"
"Exactly," said her Dad, "I really did the best I could as a father, but I'm not perfect either, so just relax and be the best version of yourself you can be. My love won't ever let go of you, you'll always be my girl, so reach for the stars child, you were born to shine not quiver in the shadows."
There once was a girl who was told that no matter what, her Daddy would save her and love her - always. He said His love was unconditional, there was nothing Sally could ever do to un-earn His love. Indeed, if she ever struck out against Him, He'd know she was more in need of His Love than ever.
Well, Sally grew up just fine and the apple of her Daddy's eye. Her Daddy grew older and she fretted about mistakes she'd made. "Now," she thought, "now I am a bad person, Daddy doesn't like folks who loose their temper and I do it all the time!" Sally called her Dad. "Dad, I lost my temper. I'm bad, you can't love me anymore!"
Her Dad chuckled kindly, "Sally, Sally, Sally, I love you forever and always. It doesn't matter about these things. How many people did you murder today?"
Sally pursed her lips. "Oh, Dad, you know I didn't do that!"
Her Father continued. "How many people did you deliberately run down with that beat up old chevvy you insist on driving?"
Sally sighed, "None, Daddy."
"Right then," said Dad, "I might it a wee bit tough if you go on a killing rampage, but other than that, it doesn't matter to me a jot."
"Really?" said Sally.
"What kind of Father would demand perfection? You're human, you fail, get over yourself. Get back up, keep walking. Learn from the mistake, improve, isn't that all we can do?"
"Okay," said Sally, "I love you too, Dad."
Her Dad laughed, "Sally, did I ever tell you about the time I was so sun baked I lost my cool in a traffic jam and shouted until I was red in the face? Did I tell you about the time I lost my temper and smacked you when you were an itty bitty girl? Did I tell you about the time I stole candy when I was twelve?"
Sally didn't know what to say. Then the words came out more easily than she'd been expecting. "So what? I still love you, you great dope!"
"Exactly," said her Dad, "I really did the best I could as a father, but I'm not perfect either, so just relax and be the best version of yourself you can be. My love won't ever let go of you, you'll always be my girl, so reach for the stars child, you were born to shine not quiver in the shadows."