Carson Samson

Me: “I’m glad Dad isn’t here to see me now; he would be so ashamed.”
Mom: “No, he wouldn’t. Neither am I. I love you. I love you just the same as when they first placed you in my arms.”

It was high time I reached out to my mom (we don’t speak often enough) and let her know what I’ve been up to: The good, the bad and the ugly. For close to two hours, we cried together, laughed a little and encouraged each other. When it was over, I felt spent and somewhat relieved, lighter. Since then, I have reflected on how my mother’s love very much resembled the Father’s love.

All of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) at some point. Consider some examples:

• Moses, anger robbed him of a blessing (Numbers 20:7-12) (Deuteronomy 32:51-52)
• David’s lust-fueled actions overshadowed his nobility (Samuel 11) (2 Samuel 12:7-14)
• Solomon’s ambition waged war on his wisdom (1 Kings 11:1-13) (Ecclesiastes 2:1-11)
• Nathaniel did, well, whatever Nathaniel did under the fig tree (John 1:45-51)
• Peter denied knowing the Christ (Matthew 26:69-75)
• Carson did all of this and more

And still, because they were repentant (they turned around, went the other way, changed their thoughts and ways), the Lord forgave them. And as my buddy Lloyd recently reminded me: Repentance is a gift of Jesus that leads to salvation.

The Lord is no stranger to sin and shame. No matter how massive we believe ours to be, he has seen it before and has forgiven worse.

That “fallen short of the glory of God” line has a second half: “and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:24).

So, there’s reason to be hopeful, even in our deepest shame.

Me: “I wish you hadn’t seen me like this.”
Jesus: “But I have, and I love you. Just the same.