God's Love through Forgiveness

I am overjoyed to have accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior because He has shown me forgiveness and love that knows no limits, and through that, I have learned how to love others well.

When I was 19, I was a youth pastor at a small local church in Baytown. I allowed a situation with my girlfriend to go too far, which led to her getting pregnant. Once I found out, I told my pastor and stepped down from my church leadership position. I felt great judgment from many people who had claimed to love me, but as soon as my sin became public, they turned their back on me. Through all of that negativity, I had people who showed me what real love and forgiveness looked like. I knew what we had done was wrong, and we immediately sought God for His forgiveness. He has been faithful in forgiving me, taking our poor decision, and turning it into one of the biggest blessings we could have ever asked for.

The same forgiveness that God and others showed me during that season of my life gives me hope that I can never out sin God's love. Once I truly understood that type of forgiveness, it has truly changed the way I handle people who mess up.