Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
          according to your steadfast love remember me,
          for your goodness’ sake, O LORD! (Psalm 25:7)

             Boy-o-boy, could I tell some stories. Like, there was that time some friends and I…wait, no, I better not write about that. But then there was the time when I…nope, don’t want to go there, either. How about the one with the cops and the priest…no, probably not in my best interest either. Let’s just say, “Do not remember the sins of my youth” is a good prayer.

             I hope you know I’m kidding. I can’t wait to get all the emails asking about all the things I did as a kid. You forget, I was a preacher’s kid, and you know what they say about preacher’s kids. Oh, wait, that doesn’t really work in my favor either.*

             The truth is, I did not always live up to my own expectations. And bad mistakes, I’ve made a few. And the truth is, I still fall short sometimes of the mark God sets for all of us through the love and example of Jesus Christ.

             At the same time, I have never been one to dwell too much on my own sin. And the reason is, just as the Psalm says, God’s love is steadfast and God is good.

             God’s steadfast love and goodness, like that of a parent for a child, means that my mistakes do not create an insurmountable chasm between God and myself. And that same steadfast love and goodness is what drives me to try harder and do better, always seeking to better follow God’s ways, better love my neighbor, better work for God’s kingdom, always knowing it is a life-long journey and there is no finish line.

             Today, I rejoice for God’s steadfast love and goodness. I praise God for God’s steadfast love and goodness. And I thank God that all those sins of my youth are forgiven in God’s steadfast love and goodness. I hope you will, too.

*For those unaware, the old saying is that PK’s are the worst!