I know, brothers and sisters. It's Friday. And you all probably think TGIF means Thank Goodness It's Friday.
And generally, it does.
But to me, today, on this particular Friday, it means Thank God I'm Forgiven.
Six months ago today, my friend Edie told me a story after choir practice. It was the story of a Savior who loved me so much that He gave His life to pay the price for all my sins. And she told me MY story could be rewritten, right then and there, a new beginning started by a simple prayer.
So we sat outside the choir room, and she curled her hands up inside mine like a nest, and together we said that prayer. Line by line, a bit at a time, me repeating after her, we invited Jesus Christ to change my life.
And after we said amen, we kind of looked at each other, and I cried a little, and she cried a little more than I did, and she told me "welcome to the family". She told me that everyone who had ever said that prayer was my family now. Not totally clear on her meaning, I asked "You too?" and she hugged me really tight and said "Of course! You're my sister now, and I love you!"
Edie was the first of countless people I'm now blessed to call my family at my church. The feeling in my heart that night was only the first of many times God has touched my heart so much it moved me to tears. On 03 March 2010, the Lord became my Savior and Redeemer, His people became my brothers and sisters, and God took the pen into His hand and started to write a new story for me.
And I've never been the same.
TGIF... THANK GOD I'M FORGIVEN!!!
Do you know that story? Do you know that the Lord Jesus Christ died for you and your sins? Do you know that you can be saved, washed clean by His blood and redeemed by His grace, so that you can be a part of His family on earth and for eternity in Heaven?
"I Love to Tell the Story/Tell Me the Story"
sung by our sanctuary choir
solo by Edie, who first told me that precious story six months ago today.
God bless you, brothers and sisters. Peace to you always.
~BYR
