I grew up in a slum area. When I entered grade seven, I was a bad kid. I hung around with a rowdy bunch of kids, and I am sure my parents wondered what would become of me. My father threatened me a few times about sending me to reform school.

I remember confronting strangers on the street and asking them for money. I told them that I hadn’t eaten for a couple of days and that I was hungry. I must have looked really hungry or was very convincing with my act because these kind strangers gave in to my lie.

When my friends and I had a few bucks collected, we would go to the corner restaurant and order Cokes and fries and celebrate our success. It was a good thing that my parents never found out about this, as I am sure I would not be alive today!

When grade eight came along, I was rebellious and not interested in school at all. I had fights at school and always sat at the back of a classroom so that I could do my own thing.

One day, the principal of the school called my parents and told them that I had failed grade eight, but that he would allow me to go to grade nine on a trial basis only. My poor parents! I really put them through a test! But things began to change in grade nine, and I owe it mostly to a wonderful teacher who took me under her wing. My grades started to improve and I continued to complete Grade 11.

We’re all going to fail God at times in our lives. We’re all going to sin at one time or another. But like that wonderful teacher, God does not look at us the way the world does. He sees what we can become.

1 John 2:1-2 – My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. (NASB)

What wonderful news! We are saved from our mistakes. We are saved from our sins. We have a brand new start. We have a brand new beginning! Let us go forth with joy and share that good news!

Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, help us to learn valuable life lessons from our mistakes, and help us to share this good news with others. Amen.

Rosemary Hagedorn Rosyhagedorn@gmail.com 
Penetanguishene, Ontario, Canada