*Ever felt like an outcast, as if no one wanted you, or as if you’ve been rejected by everyone?

Those kind of people are in Jesus’ family.

*Ever been unfairly treated by others, tried to get ahead on your own, and have it blow up in your face?

Those kind of people are in Jesus’ family.

*Ever made a really bad decision in the past?

Something so bad that you have to live with it for the rest of your life?

Those kind of people are in Jesus’ family.

*Ever done something that hurt a lot of people, maybe even got someone killed?

Those kind of people are in Jesus’ family.

*Ever started out really strong in something (like a job, marriage, your morals) only to blow it in the end? Those kind of people are in Jesus’ family.

These stories are all about grace.

In reading about them, there’s an invitation to say our story matters — that those parts of us we want to hide maybe should be remembered and told.

Shame stories can stay shame stories if they’re in the dark; but when they’re brought into the light, they can be grace stories.

Pastor Zach Van Dyke