My 2024 Story of Redemption

I'm glad I have eternal life because I have a sense that this life isn't all there is. Whether I encounter great success or hardship, I'm aware that my true treasure is in heaven, and that's where I need to store it up. As I put off worldly pleasures in favor of the afterlife, the irony is that I'm more fulfilled and joyful here in this life.

A good example is when one of my children was sexually assaulted at a friends house during a sleepover. My anguish is real -- for my child and the mixed up feelings they might have faced as a result. Ironing out the wrinkles of my life and making it perfect or ideal is just not possible for me. The whole world is messed up and in need of a Savior to cleanse the world of all the evil. Jesus started that process when he became a man and died on the cross for our sins.

He took our messed up selfish acts and bore the penalty himself, becoming sin even though he himself was perfect. 2 Cor 5:21 God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. This is both a personal promise and a promise for all humanity. God loves us and wants to be in a right relationship with us, so he made a way through his Son Jesus. In the end, I don't have to hope that myself or my kids will have a perfect life. We rest in God's love and have hope that one day we will see him face to face and he will make all things new.