Dear Ones,
As I write this it is storming outside but so wonderful to hear the rain that is so needed. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
How often do we find ourselves asking forgiveness and then having a hard time letting go of the fact that we have failed? Yes, we all sin, we all fail, and daily we all need God’s grace and forgiveness. Why is that such a surprise? Grace is God’s unmerited favor to us, and how freeing it is to be able to tap into that when we know we have blown it and need forgiveness. None of us are squeaky clean and even if we have not been caught outwardly in doing something wrong, we sin daily in our thoughts, unspoken words, and unnoticed deeds. We all have need of forgiveness!
Recently, I read a devotional by Kristen Terrette who is a Children’s Ministry Director. I thought she had an ingenious way of helping the children understand our need for forgiveness. She tried to think of a way of helping explain the gospel and such big words like justification and sanctification etc. She came to class wearing an oversized perfectly white t-shirt and gave each of her students a sharpy permanent marker. Then one by one she had each child make a mark on her shirt to represent a sin which they said out loud. It could be a very small mark or a large gash but before long her shirt was full of visible black marks. Then she told them how she would not be able to enter heaven even if there was one tiny black speck on her shirt, for it didn’t matter if it was big or small. It reminded me of the verse I learned as a child found in James 2:10 (ESV), “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.” We are all guilty for no one is good enough as we all fail! Kristen then put on a new white t-shirt over the stained one to represent what Jesus did on the cross for us. She told them how Jesus was sinless and took our place and that we all have to confess our sin and accept His offer of salvation. It is perhaps easier for children to understand rather than adults, as our pride gets in the way. We feel we have to earn it, or strive to be sinless but all our efforts are futile. We need grace! We are undeserving and unworthy and yet He invites us to accept His free gift.
May we humbly confess our sins and let Him cover us with his white robe of righteousness.
Challenge for today: Be quick to admit when you have sinned and accept His grace to you.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy