Forget The "Remember Whens..."

As you all know, Lance Armstrong has been the hot topic lately.  Apparently he lied about using drugs when competing in professional cycling. His world has been turned upside down in an instant.   This is not a blog that is either for nor against Lance.  I know nothing about the guy, and I'm certainly going to be the last person to judge someone because guess what? I've messed up, too. Guess what?? So have you.   The difference in my "mess ups" and Lance's "mess ups" is he's in the spotlight.  I know lots of folks who have screwed up royally in life, but somehow, it's not plastered all over the TV every two seconds because they're not famous.  When you're famous and you "mess up", the whole world knows it.  What I find rotten in all of this is, are we not all "messed up" in one form or another?  Lance's life will more than likely never be the same because everyone will always "remember when...", and you know he's lost fans, and probably several friends through it all.  It reminds me so much of times in my life that I have messed up and I've lost friends.  Just recently, I realized a friend deleted me on Facebook that I've known almost my entire life. I'm not 100% sure why they deleted me, but I have my theory.  I know this is hard to believe, BUT... I am not a perfect person.  I know, it comes as a shock to me to even have to type those words. ;-)  I do and have changed my mind on some things within the past several months, and apparently they were offended. It made me sad and even angry because I HATE losing friends or upsetting someone. I've always hated when I've upset someone because it just eats away at me, and I will think about it for weeks and months, and I will try anything to make things right.  But I have to remember that it's just not in my control to please everyone all of the time, and no matter how hard I try, someone is going to dislike me for whatever reason.  Jesus walked away from people, and sometimes, I've got to learn to do that, too, as much as I hate it.  This is just one example of a friendship that I've blown because they saw me as someone else until I changed my view on something. Believe it or not, people can and do change when you let God take control.   I've had my share of  "remember when" moments, and if I could change things in my life for the stupid things I've done, I would, but the fact is...I can't.  And you know what? It's ok. I'm sure if Lance Armstrong could go back in time, he would certainly do things differently. If he knew today what he was doing then would kill everything he'd ever worked for, do you think he would have chosen a different path? More than likely he would have. If I could turn back time and get a "re-do" in my life, do you think I would? Of course I would because I know I wouldn't have some people pointing fingers at me now or talking behind my back as they whisper, "Remember when..."     Aren't you glad that Jesus doesn't do this to us?? What if He said,  "You know what? You have too many "remember when" moments and it's all over for you. You've really messed up, and I'm done with you. I'm taking everything away from you.  There is no way you'll ever inherit Heaven."  Man, what if Jesus said these very words to us? Would any of us make it to Heaven? I'm thinking probably not.  But guess what? Jesus doesn't say these words to us, yet he forgives us by His grace. He knows we mess up, and boy, haven't we all?  All I know is, sure... Lance screwed up, but so have I...so have you.  And for all the people who have cut me off or "deleted me" off Facebook, it makes me more and more thankful that God is my Savior and my judge and that people aren't because I'd never make it if some people were my judge. Would you?  As I said earlier, I'm not a perfect person. I've messed up plenty, and guess what? I'll be messing up again, because as hard as I try to always do the right thing, I just can't always do it.  But God loves me just where I am. God knows my heart, He knows I'm trying whether some people think I am or not.  Have you ever noticed that the people who judge or "unfriend" you never sit down and talk with you to see where you are in your journey with God?  At least that's been my experience.  Until you've walked a mile in my shoes or anyone's shoes, maybe we should take the time to talk with that person...find out what's going on with them and pray for them instead of judging them from afar.  Forget the "remember whens", today is a new day and it's time to look forward.  As for Lance Armstrong, I'm sure that's what he's wanting to do, as well.  Let God be His judge, because just like us, Lance is a sinner, but he can change and be a new person. God can use any of us. He can make us new creatures, and He will if we just let Him.  I'm not famous by any means, and that is fine by  me, but I have come to realize that the more people that recognize me from a singing group, the more I feel "watched". I just hope that I'm always a genuine person that radiates the love of Christ.  I want people to see Him, not me.  I hope that is what you want for your life, as well.  Keep moving forward in your journey and keep your eyes on the One...the ONLY one who matters.  God Bless!