This is the beginning of a series about forgiveness and how forgiveness is part of our identity in Christ. Christ's forgiveness of sins is extended to all. This is a story of audacious grace and forgiveness. This is a story of how God’s forgiveness reached my family.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1John 1:9

Intended for Evil

They argue as the air hangs thick in the house on this steamy August day.  Al, my stepdad, retreats to the bedroom; my mom broods in the living room. The bed is a familiar escape for a drunkard. Drink and then you sleep, never able to actually escape what ails you inside.   

Arguing is the norm for their relationship and ordinary for most homes where alcohol is king. Darkness descends and swirls all around Al. As he falls into blackness, he releases the clip on the gun. She hears a click from the living room and instead of running away, she walks towards the sound.

As she enters the bedroom, he rolls over in a drunken haze and points the gun at her and shoots. Shock, fear, and adrenaline course through her body. She thinks, “I must escape! Run!” She races into the kitchen, out the patio door, down the deck stairs, and to a neighbor's house. She’s alert, yet in shock. The bullet has gone through her chest. How is she alive?

She calls a friend who runs and grabs me at my job as a waitress. I’m 19 years old, and when an adult runs into your work and says, “You have to come with me right now. Something terrible has happened!” you go immediately. I see the fear in his eyes.  My heart stops and I hold my breath as I run out of the restaurant. What am I about to face?

We race across town to find my mom on a gurney being lifted into an ambulance. She’s talking and alert. Terror is all over her face, but she’s alive. I’m simultaneously scared to death and filled with rage for my step-dad. How can this be happening? How is this my life?

My friend drives me to the ER, and we wait.  I just want my mom to be safe. I pray to a God I barely know, to beg him to watch over her.  I wait in the ER for what feels like hours hoping someone will update me.  Everything moves in slow motion. I’m terrified, confused, ashamed, and overwhelmed. What are we going to do? Surgeons perform surgery and are amazed the bullet has only grazed her heart. She is millimeters away from death.

But for God.

My step-dad is brought to jail. The next day he wakes up and realizes something terrible has happened, but he has no memory of it. He asks the jailer why he’s there and crumbles into a heap when the jailer says, “You shot your wife.”  

While in jail, Al meets with a man from a local church.  They build a relationship and gain trust with each other.  After much soul searching and counsel, nearly two weeks after the shooting, Al falls to his knees in repentance; he calls out to Jesus to rescue him and deliver him, and Jesus does. Al never drinks a drop of alcohol or smokes for the rest of his days.  He said to Jesus, “If you will save my wife, I’ll serve you the rest of my life.” He is changed in an instant.  Now the hard work of reconciliation and restoration would take many months, but it happens, all because of the goodness of God. What happens to my family is miraculous.

Amazing Grace

Each day brings a new awareness of God. We’re all drinking from a hose of grace, our thirsty souls quenched with living water. I watch as my parent’s marriage is restored, our entire family comes to the saving grace of Jesus, and what the Enemy intended for our demise is the beginning of our healing. My step-dad has to pay for the crime he committed so he spends two-and-a-half years in federal prison. But I get a front-row seat as I watch their lives come back together. I’m in awe of it all. 

 Our family doesn’t know mercy like this, but we learn multiple lessons in the months after the shooting. We learn God’s compassion towards us and others when the unforgivable thing happens. I’m so proud of my parents for their hard, sacred work as they partner with God in reconciliation. 

 Forgiveness is the legacy of our family.

The sweetest revelation about our relationship with Christ is how He paid the price so we could be forgiven. He gave His life so I could have forgiveness of my sins and everyone's sins in the world. 

In order to walk in our true identity in Christ, we need to understand what that means for us.

You are forgiven.

It’s really that simple.

It seems too simple.  We wonder shouldn’t there be something more to it?  Shouldn’t I need to prove that I’m worthy to be forgiven?  Shouldn’t I have to try harder, work harder, do better things, be better, then I can be forgiven? We’re struck by the wonder of it. The goodness of the Good News is overwhelming.

We are forgiven by Christ the moment we ask for it.   We accept it as a gift, and that’s why Jesus’ sacrifice is so powerful.  He died for us, once and for all. 

And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” Hebrews 10:8-10

Friend, I don’t know what you’ve done, what mistakes, or sins you carry, but I know Jesus died for you. He is willing and ready to extend forgiveness to you. You simply need to ask. When you ask for forgiveness, He readily gives it, and you begin a relationship with Jesus.  The consequences of sin may not be removed, but the penalty is.  Jesus took it upon Himself, for you. 

Jesus even goes so far as to say he places our sins in the sea of forgetfulness. He does not remember our sins.  That’s how good He is.

It’s simple, yet completely extravagant.

There’s no greater joy than to live forgiven. 

Dear Papa, Thank you for offering your Son so my sins could be forgiven. Thank you there’s nothing too difficult for you to forgive.  You died for me, once and for all.  I don’t want to stand on the outside anymore.  I want to know You and walk with your Son.  Please forgive me of my sins and come and reign in my heart.  I thank You for the power of forgiveness.  Help me walk in my identity as a forgiven soul. Amen

Still, struggling?

Maybe this will help?

I’ve included a free guide to help you understand your identity in Christ as a beloved daughter of God.  Click on the image below and leave your name and email so I know where to send it.