"When we understand the depth of God's love and forgiveness, it deepens our love for him. It also means that we no longer look down on other sinners or think that we are better than anyone else."- Rick Warren

Recently it dawned on me that I am a newborn! Though I've been in church for most of my life, I've just been 'in' church. I've not worked on my relationship with God and allowed Him to be the God of my life, but just 'a' God. He was somewhere on my top ten list. Over a year ago I left a church I had attended for five years. I'm ashamed to say it was a bitter departure, but looking back, I now recognize God's grace and mercy in the situation. As I floundered to find a new church home, I didn't rely on God very much in my search for a church. I was one of those people who told God what I wanted and ask Him to bless my plan...wrong expectations, wrong answer! Thankfully He is so much more than I deserve and loves me more than I can ever fathom! In August I was led to NewSpring Church. My experience at NewSpring has been life altering and in turn life saving! God opened my eyes to HIM, not the church, not the people, not the music, but to HIM! Every week I find myself stunned at how God uses our pastors to work on our hearts and in our lives. My worship experience has been enhanced one hundred fold and I can't wait to get back there. When I think it can't get any better, it does!
I'm so thankful He doesn't give us what we deserve but shows how much He loves us through His amazing grace and patience! His patience and gentle (okay, not always gentle) coddling along the way has brought about exponential changes in my spirit, in my work life, in my relationships with my family, the desires of my heart and I've seen relationships restored that could have only been restored by a God of love. I look forward to reading His word and meditating on its meaning in my life everyday! I don't just go to church anymore, I am a part of my church and I am an active part of God's work. Yes, I am a work in progress and I hope that doesn't change until my last breath, but right now, I am a newborn, learning how to walk, how to talk, how to forgive and how to love the way God meant for me to, not the way I've allowed myself and the world to shape me. I am thankful!