Our Questions: God's AnswersShembull

Can God forgive my bad choices?

We adopted one of our daughters when she was eight years old. She said something to me recently that absolutely broke my heart, and I'm afraid that other people out there believe what she believes.

A few years ago, she went through a season of making some bad choices. I explained that my job as her mother was to protect her because these choices hurt her. But she continued to make them, so I had no choice but to give her consequences.

She continued making these bad choices, so I got exasperated one day. I said to her, "I don't know what to do. I've already grounded you from TV and taken away the tablet and your VR. Please tell me, what am I supposed to do next?" She looked at me and said in this quiet little voice, "Well, maybe you have to get rid of me."

She didn't say it out of anger; she said it in this genuine, sad voice because, in her sweet little heart, she thought maybe it would just be better. Maybe Mom can't keep forgiving me. Maybe my Mom can't keep loving me. It's probably best for everyone if I go.

It hurt my heart so much that she would believe this. But friends, I think that there are lots of you out there who believe the same thing: that your Father in Heaven cannot continue to forgive you for the bad choices you've made, that He can't keep loving you, that there's no way He could use you in His Kingdom to do good things anymore, and that it would be better if you just walked away.

I'm here to tell you that is so far from the truth. When my daughter accepted our offer to adopt her, she became part of our family, and absolutely nothing could separate her from us. There is nothing that she could do that would stop us from loving her. It is the same once you accept Jesus' offer to be adopted into His Family. There is nothing that can separate you from Him. There is nothing that can stop Him from loving you.

His Love is so great that He encourages you to follow the Law because He understands the Earthly consequences when you choose to obey. Just like with my daughter, when I gave her rules, I wanted her to follow those rules not because it determined my love for her but because I knew what was best for her. I want her to have a good life, and I want her not to have to suffer here because of her choices. It is the same way with your Father in Heaven, who loves you.

When I explained this to my daughter, she ran into my arms and wrapped her arms around me. I just held her and held her and held her. She didn't let go for minutes, and neither did I. I want you to know that all it takes is a moment of repentance where you say, "Jesus, I'm sorry I did this. I want to come home," and He will accept you. He is waiting with His arms open wide. Run to Him; let Him embrace you. Trust me, He won't let go.