I have two cats.
Stanley, a sandy beige colored tomcat with a sweet and affectionate personality, was raised in our home lovingly since he was adopted as a very small kitten. Simon, a jet black, rambunctious, yet strikingly handsome fellow, was adopted as a young adult cat.
Stanley and Simon are always together, like two peas in a pod. When I go outside with my children on a beautiful sunny day, both cats come running up to get their due allowance of petting and human time. Stanley allows me to pet him and doesn’t seem to care when my children pull his tail or rub his fur the wrong way.
Simon, however, is a different story. I almost always get a glimpse of his unknown past-as he seeks attention and allows me to pet him, only to suddenly sink his teeth into my hand as I stroke his midnight black coat.
And while so many people would just refuse to have any contact with that seemingly spiteful and ungrateful cat, I continue to work with him. Over time, with love, Simon has improved with his trust and his behavior. While I know I may still get bitten, I know that Simon’s past is not something he can change, and so I choose to love him anyway.
How many of us have the same story? We have a past that is marked by brokenness and scars that we cannot change, and yet we still seek love from others. Others often see only our past when they look at us, and refuse to see the change in our hearts or the potential for change if we are shown love and a positive example.
Jesus loves us no matter what we have done or what our past looks like. If you ask Him to come into your heart and repent of your sins, He will, without question, create a new person while washing away the stains of your past. Trust Jesus with your life today, and He will bring the gift of True Love into your heart.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
Prayer: Lord, please help me to love others despite the past they carry with them. I know you love me, and have forgiven me, and that the old has passed away. Let me be an example of your love and forgiveness as you show me grace upon grace. Thank you for loving me Lord, despite my brokenness.
