Redemption

If you know me at all, you know I love soap operas. Well, really just one soap opera - General Hospital. I've recorded it (almost) every day since the summer before my senior year in college. Greatness. Anyway, I love how even some of the most horrible characters can eventually be redeemed. There is always a good chance that someone is going to cheat on his/her significant other, switch paternity results, give mob boss Sonny another love child, or even steal a baby. Sometimes these characters can be redeemed and they end up being my favorite character on the show (Sam and Maxie!).

I began thinking about this concept and how it applies in "real life" on my morning walk this morning and then the title of the scripture passage in my morning devotional was "Joy of the Redeemed" (Isaiah 35). I have messed up plenty of times, some mistakes seem more of a big deal than others and some have harsher consequences than others. Yesterday and this morning, I just could not get images and memories of one of these mistakes out of my head. Though I know God has forgiven me, I just seem to dwell on how badly I messed up (don't worry - I didn't steal someone's baby!).

I think Satan bombards us with the thoughts that we're so messed up, even though we know that God has wiped us clean. I am so incredibly grateful that my God loves me enough to redeem me. Even though I've made mistakes and gotten dirty, God steps in and makes me that pure child of God He created me to be.

If the writers of GH can redeem Maxie, surely my Lord can redeem me!

Home Sweet Home

Getting settled into a new house seems like the perfect time to start a blog! So to kick off this blog, here are some before and after pictures of our first home together!

Living Room Before

Living Room After


Kitchen Before
Kitchen After

Guest Bath Before

Guest Bath After

With New Tile

Master Bath Before

Master Bath After
Still a work in progress - we have a lot left to unpack and put away and decorate, but it's coming along. And don't even ask about the outside! The landscaping is so bad and overgrown, you can't see the front door from the street. I hope I still like the house once I can see it!