Yeah, What He Said

Wow, it has been a while since I wrote here. I have so many other things I want to do. Need to do. Should do. I was going to make a simple Facebook post, but then I realized it wouldn't be simple. It would be one of those LOOONGG posts that make me roll my eyes. Some of the people I love most in this world write reeaaallly long posts. You know who you are. Don't change a bit. 
I was inspired to write this morning after reading the first few chapters of 1 Timothy. Specifically, 1 Timothy 1:15-16. When I read these words, I was reminded that Paul's testimony is MY testimony. Let's be clear. I'm no Paul. I've never been on a mission trip. I've never gone downtown to feed the homeless. And don't you even think about asking me to evangelize to the tube top wearing, parrot carrying, cigarette smoking sinners at the county fair. NO. Way. But still, he said this:

15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in Him and receive eternal life. (NIV, emphasis all mine.)

 So, why am I writing today? Diverging from my precious to do list? Because if you know me now, then most of my Facebook posts make sense and and you probably never say, "Really? SHE said that. What a hypocrite." You wouldn't say that, because you know the reformed me. While still imperfect and often hard to love, I'm basically a decent person. I'm a faithful wife and I love my kids. All EIGHT of them. Most of the time. We go to church. We donate money. We take in family members that others might turn away. Decent, right? 
BUT, if you knew me before, you might see some of my Bible quoting, Jesus-y posts as a little hard to believe. If you do, I don't blame you. Truly. I remember that old me. "The worst of sinners" is a fair statement, but it isn't the point. I'm a sinner. You're a sinner. The degree of our sin (past or present) isn't really an issue. What is the point? "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners". Thank you, Jesus, for being immensely patient with me through my teens and early twenties. Immensely. Patient. I am writing today to say to those who haven't FULLY accepted the truth of the gospel, let me be an example. You KNEW me. You saw my behavior. I've ALWAYS believed in God and I've always understood why Jesus came. Not until my early thirties did I FULLY accept the TRUTH of His saving grace and the gift of eternal life. 
If you haven't accepted this truth, but think you might want to, then send me a message. I'm an open book and I'm happy to tell you how Jesus turned me from the "worst of sinners" into just your average, run of the mill, saved-by-grace sinner.