Day 17: I'm Not Who I Was

This song is a new discovery, but I really like Brandon Heath's sound.  I'm Not Who I Was, touches a little on forgiveness, a little on change and a little on growth.  I have been writing about forgiveness the past few days, and I think the next components of that are change and growth.  When God forgives us, He not only renews us, but has a purpose for us.

God speaks to His people through Isaiah to say this: "See, I am doing a new thing.  Do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."  God takes the most barren of hearts in the most desperate situations, and refreshes them with life.

But sometimes He takes us when we are not in the desperate situations, sometimes He reaches into our lives when we need it and don't know it.  I have often heard this saying: "God loves us the way we are, but He also loves us enough not to leave us that way."  I think back to early childhood, grade school, middle school.  I know that I was and am a beloved child of God and my parents.  Sometimes the way I thought and the things I wanted - I had to have been crazy.  The ideas that I had about life and how I would be living it.  God loves me at the core of who I am - and I am still that girl.  I am thankful that He has made changes in my life, made changes in my heart and in my spirit to bring me to today.  And I am thankful that He continues to do so.

Creation was not a finite event.  The Creator is still creating.  He always gives us the opportunity to do a new thing - to be a new thing.

I like to look back at old pictures, so I thought I'd share this one.  Thankfully, I have evolved in my fashion sense since then.  I know God loves that little girl.  I love to look at me in my mud boots and straw hat.  And I am so thankful that I'm Not Who I Was.  I've been given grace, love, forgiveness, second chances and a new life because of God's grace.  Renewal is a promise He holds for all of His children. 
~SP