Past, Present, Future

I'm beyond the point where I've learned accept and forgive myself for the mistakes I've made in my past. But for a split second, I remembered how much my mistakes have hurt or will hurt people I love and I really wanted to regret it all over again... But I just couldn't. Those mistakes weren't just lessons for me, but they are the reasons I'll never settle or go back to my old life. They were the motivations for finding something better. Beauty from ashes. God burned away my old life, and I was given a brand new one through Christ alone. He reminded me that I have a bright future ahead of me, despite the mistakes I've made. While I'll still have to face certain consequences for my sins, I don't have to regret them, entirely. I've already been made new. And God uses those mistakes for His glory.

I think the reason I had to go through so much pain was to see the difference in the possibilities of what's to come. It's a big difference, too! I think I also needed to make those mistakes to realize my worth and the enormous love God and others have for me, even though I mess up. While I'll never fully get my innocence back, I have been redeemed and forgiven. That makes my heart smile.

I can smile at my past, present and future. My past brought me to where I am today. It brought my to my present. My decisions made me who I am today. I'm here. And I'm ready for my future.