Don't Demolish!

When I was down in New Orleans, in particular the Lower 9th Ward, I saw a lot of destruction, a lot of wounds still left untouched.  I saw family photos in rubble, I saw mold, embedded in what once were sheltered studs. I saw steps that led to nowhere but a vacant lot, with Mother Mary guarding the front steps.  I saw so much, that brought out some things that have come as a realization to me, and is something needed to be said about others. 

Humanity sees what we cannot have, and for some reason feel like we need to try it.  Adam and Eve saw what they could not have, and followed the deception that there was no harm in 'trying to find out'... It is one thing when you know what you're doing,and know your boundaries, and limits.  It is a different thing when you don't.  Through these times, we break.  Maybe not immediately.  It takes repetition, and worldly justification, but eventually we find ourselves in a position we never would have once imagined we would have to be in.  We become broken, introverted, timid beings, trying to get through each day, each day is a stretch, a struggle. 

Life becomes a chore to live, and memories linger in our minds that we would do anything to not remember. 

This is liberating:  by the grace of God, and Jesus, we are healed, forgiven, and exalted higher than we deserve.  Because He sees the best in us, only the good.  He knows we sin.  He knows our past.  He knows our current situations.  Through and through He will heal, and restore us.  That picture of the house that says 'Don't Demolish' is not only us, when we feel so broken and lost, that is what Jesus pleads to us, and His desire for us to not allow the sins and struggles people deal with, to demolish our relationships and views of who they are.  Especially if they can say they made mistakes.  They were not mistakes at the time of their sin.  They did it.  But when one is humbled before the Lord, and can be able to say "I messed up, God..."  THIS is when the integrity begins, and starts to grow once again.  They can become extraordinary in all they do, living blamelessly, using the mistakes they can now understand they once made, as tools and stories to tell others.  For inspiration.  For hope.  For reaching out.  We are all unique, and it is so common for us all to feel alone in all we do, even though our struggles are and can be quite similar if not identical. 

By the power and love of Christ and the Holy Spirit, we are liberated into unknown levels we have ever imagined!