A Whole New Life

Posted on 2007-Sep-22 at 05:06

I knew this woman that died about 7 years ago.  She always seemed like a pretty nice sort, but after she died I began to see what a selfish, self-serving person she had been.  I realized that even though I spent countless hours in her presence, I didn't really like her very much.  I don't miss her at all now that she's gone, which is odd, since we spent so much time together.  As a matter of fact, I don't even like to think about her because the memory is so unpleasant.  I even have trouble looking at her pictures sometimes.

When she died, she left behind a husband and children.  Now you would think her own family would be sorry that she was gone, but they don't miss her at all.  As a matter of fact, the husband has a new wife now, and he has been heard to say that if the old wife ever came back somehow, he would tell her to leave!  The kids feel the same way.  They say that they wouldn't have that old mom back for anything.  Can you imagine?  This new mom has stepped in and completely taken her place.  

Many of her old friends don't even realize that she died.  Oh, they've noticed that she doesn't come around anymore, but they don't think she's really gone for good.  They say things like "Oh, she's moved on," or "She just grew up, she matured," or "This is just a phase she's going through."  I've tried to tell them that she's dead, that she won't be coming back, but they just smile and change the subject.  It seems to make them uncomfortable to talk about it. 

So who is this poor woman whose death has gone unmourned or, in some cases, unnoticed?  Well, she's...me!  This January will mark 7 years since I gave my life to Jesus, since the old me died and the new me was born.  That person I used to be is truly a dead person, and  I don't even like to visit the cemetery to tell you the truth.  The life I led up until January of 2001 was pretty much a waste of a life.  I do not look back on it fondly or tell myself that I was just young and dumb.  I look back on it as a waste. 

To be given a chance to start over, to be born again, is something I can't adequately put into words.  It is a gift so immense, so undeserved, so incredibly kind and beautiful...being forgiven is a wonderful thing, but being given a brand spanking new life to lead, well, what could be more perfect than that? 

"What is man,  that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?" Psalm 8:4 KJV  I am so thankful that God would even bother with the likes of me.  To think that God would reach out to a person that ignored him, disobeyed him, went her own way and made excuses for her behavior...to think that he would not only reach out to her but then completely forgive her and give her a new life...why?

Because He loves me, plain and simple.  All because of His love for me.

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

1 Corinthians 5:17 KJV

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Posted by Kitty on 2007-Sep-22 at 05:35 - Link

Great post, you go girl.
Kitty

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Posted by Anonymous on 2007-Sep-22 at 06:13 - Link

That about sums it up! Thanks for sharing - what an awesome post!

Blessings
Courtney
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/heartforhome

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Posted by Anonymous on 2007-Sep-23 at 12:14 - Link

Happy seventh year of new-birth!

YipPee!!!!

Daja
www.gombojav.blogspot.com

Wow!

Posted by kember on 2007-Sep-23 at 08:07 - Link

What an awesome privilege it is to serve our great God! Thanks for posting, it was inspiring.

Only through Him,
Kember ><>

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Posted by blessedmomof10 on 2007-Sep-24 at 03:01 - Link

What a beautiful post........ so touching........ simply touching..........

In Him,
Gloria

proud of you

Posted by Cathy on 2007-Sep-27 at 07:09 - Link

Leah,
What an amazing post!!!
I love you my friend.
Blessings,
Cathy

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Posted by kayinpa on 2007-Sep-27 at 11:52 - Link

What a wonderful testimony.

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Posted by CandyFoote on 2007-Sep-30 at 05:46 - Link

What an awesome post!
Great job!

Candy

Hey there!

Posted by abundantblessings on 2007-Oct-5 at 10:16 - Link

I awarded you, my friend!!!
Come visit my blog to see it!! :)

Love ya!
Laurie

:)

Posted by erinljoyce on 2007-Oct-6 at 11:33 - Link

I loved the entry! And thank you for the birthday wish!