BLOW THROUGH THE BOUNDARIES

By Mike Lehr: Do we ever come to a place where we are beyond the reach of grace or forgiveness?

I used to think so.

When I was 18, I found myself caught up in the aftermath of my parents’ separation and subsequent divorce. It seemed as though my world was crashing down around me.  I had so much anger, disgust and bitterness towards my dad that, though I called myself a Christian, I could not forgive him. My faith had become a habitual, empty tradition; I talked a message of grace and forgiveness, but did not walk it.

I was a hypocrite, and I was chained.  A pivotal moment came when I knew I could no longer refuse to forgive my dad, so I began to reach out to him. We took walks together.  LONG walks.  I didn’t make it easy, and we had some of the deepest, hardest, toughest conversations I can ever remember.  It didn’t happen overnight, but after years of walking, I was able to extend forgiveness for the hurt and pain.

And through that forgiveness, I was finally able to heal.

This was NOT easy.  It was difficult.  It was messy.  But it was worth it, and I’m finally free.

Grace is a tank that blew through the boundaries I’d set up – the boundaries that imprisoned me in bitterness and hate.

And that’s why I love People of the Second Chance.  This is what we do and who we are. We find freedom through forgiveness, and beauty through imperfection.  We see through the lens of grace, and we see each other for who we really are.

How do you need to be freed today, and how can we help you blow through the boundaries?