FeyVored

The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. (see James 1:11) I lost a dear friend a week ago. I found out today the cause of her death- she slept and didn't wake up. At first, I decided not to ask about the cause. I was hoping it was a peaceful passing-- with no pain or anguish, with no sorrow in her last moments, with no reason to doubt God's existence-- and it was. Daisy was a blessing. In the first year of secondary school, she was introduced to me as my elder sister's classmate and quickly became a dear friend. They were both aspiring to be senior prefects; Daisy was put in charge of my year, and my sister was in charge of another year. I knew Daisy was looking after me to make sure I had "junior girl life" easier than most of my peers had. She would come to help me arrange my locker ready for inspection, make sure my provisions were intact and...

"I, even I, am the One who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins"  - God (Isaiah 43:25)  This verse stirred up so many emotions in my heart as I read it. Firstly, I was sorry for what I had done that caused me to sin against God. Secondly, I was aware of my tendency to transgress and that this is not the first time I have felt sorry for it. Thirdly, I was grateful for God's mercy in wiping out my wrongs against Him. Fourthly, I was even more grateful that the reason He has wiped them out is because of Himself. Not me, Him. Maybe a part of me wants to feel special, maybe I want God to look at my sorry heart and have my sins wiped out because I am sorry. Maybe that is what you want too. Maybe we like to feel that we can earn forgiveness just by being sorry. Maybe it is our pride. Actually, that IS our pride. This sense of pride demands a right to forgiveness because my heart is contrite, because I have felt the...