In an ideal world, we would all be raised in loving, stable, God-fearing homes. From infancy we would learnt His love, faithfulness and protection through the natural love and guidance of our parents. We would learn to use our gifts and abilities to explore life around us and grow in the confidence that challenges can be faced and overcome. Of course, we do not live in an ideal world. Some children are born into confusing, fearful environments where they learn to live in a state of perpetual anxiety and dread that carries well into adulthood.
Regardless of the experience that you were born into, whether you had a childhood you cherish, one you shudder to remember or something in between, let me encourage you, there is hope!
Someone who I respect greatly recently told me that God is less concerned at present with justice and more concerned with redemption. What that means is that despite the pain and unfairness of circumstances you didn't ask for, God has a beautiful story of redemption planned for you. And it starts here. Or there. Or way in the distance. It begins any moment that you ask Him to show you the way. His plan is restoration and it is a perpetual covenant of renewal and grace...His mercies are new every morning.
He will gently lead and guide you into the fullness of joy and peace that He has created for all His children, but it will take relearning. You may have become so trained and practiced in seeing the negative and expecting the worst that learning to trust again will be difficult. God is patient and kind. He will hold your hand and strengthen you as you submit your mind to His words of healing and truth.
God's offers us a second childhood. Another chance to learn the reality of His love, faithfulness and tender care.
It's called redemption.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
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