“Remember your past but Rejoice in who God made you.”
In 2006, I graduated from Pickens High School not having a clue what was about to happen in my life. I was young, carefree, and ready to take on the world.
What I didn’t want to accept is that God had other plans for my life.
I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do with my life but I knew I needed to go to school first, so I started Tri County Tech in the Fall of 2006 majoring in Early Childhood Education. For the next few years I changed my major every other month, moved from one college to another, and never found stability in anything I set my mind on.
God was not going to let me go easy.
It was a confusing and overwhelming time in my life. From 2006 – 2010 I ran from God. I still struggled my first year of marriage trying to choose between God’s plan and making up my own way in life. It sounds like an easy decision and should have been obvious, but it’s not always as easy as you may think. Every day you are faced with a choice you must make on your own: to follow God or follow this world. When you wake up you can dress to impress and fit-in with all the styles, no matter how provocative they may be, or you can choose God and dress in a manner that would please Him and not cause someone else to lust. I’m not saying you must wear dresses to your ankles and cover your head with a bag, but come on ladies…you know what I’m talking about. Be respectful.
As I look back on the poor decisions I made, friendships and relationships that were broken, and situations that could have ended up much worse than they did…I consider myself blessed. Blessed to be a part of God’s plan, blessed by His Grace. Years later I have a beautiful family, work in an office where my boss starts the day in prayer and devotion every morning and prays over his patients each week, and I am privileged to work with you girls as you grow in God’s plan for your life!
In today’s world, if you don’t listen to your parents or your boss the first time they tell you to do something, they might give you a second chance to change your mind, but not always. Would they give you years to do what they told you to do in the first place?
What if the next time your dad or mom tells you to clean your room, you respond, “Nah, not today. I’ll do it in maybe 5-7 years.” I don’t think that would work too well for you. (and definitely don’t tell them I told you to do that – purely for an example)
This is only one of the reasons why I consider myself blessed by His Grace. Grace is getting what you don’t deserve. Mercy is not getting what you do deserve. God gave me grace when He was patient with me and never gave up on me despite my rebellion. Today, I am who I am because of His Grace. Though I remember my past mistakes, I can rejoice knowing that He made me clean. He welcomed me to His family and He is all that matters. I will always be grateful for His Amazing Grace!
There are days that I’m reminded of my past and brought to tears by who I used to be. Embarrassed and ashamed, my heart breaks thinking of the pain I caused my family.
But then I remember…
I am a child of God, a daughter of the One True King! Sunday, my family and I went to 5point in Easley and the Pastor said, “Remember your past but Rejoice in who God made you.”
I honestly did not plan on writing this blog today. I started my blog with a completely different topic in mind. I even had a cute picture and title picked out for it and everything…but apparently someone needs to hear this. I don’t know who, but I do know that you are not defined by your past. Don’t let your past mistakes hold you back from who God created you to be. It’s time to move forward, hear His Word, and Rejoice in knowing that God can make you clean. Rejoice in knowing that you can be a child of God.
Today’s scripture came from Acts 10 and 11 where Peter went against culture and spoke with 3 gentiles, men that were not Jewish, and eventually saved and baptized them. The people wondered why Peter was with the gentiles, the gossiped about him talking to sinners, and they even questioned him about wanting to baptize these people, but his response was simple, “And I remembered the word of the lord how He used to say, “John baptized with water but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Therefore, if God gave to them the same gift He gave to us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that could stand in God’s way?” Acts 11:16-17
God loves you just as He loves the rest of His children. There will be regrets in your life big or small that you won’t be able to forget and words that you can never take back, but you must always remember…
His love surpasses them all and no matter what you’ve done or how bad you think your past may be…God is always there. His Grace is too hard to explain in words, but I can promise His love will never fail you.
When you wake up in the morning, claim yourself as a child of God, a daughter of the One True King. Look in the mirror and see yourself as more than just a series of past mistakes, but a masterpiece created by God Himself.
You are beautiful, you are wonderful, and you need to remind yourself daily how special you truly are!
You are a part of His plan and your mission is just beginning!
May God Bless you and Show you His Grace every day!
If you have a special prayer need or need to talk to someone, you can always call, text, or email me anytime! I’m always here for you!
Kayla Rampey
KaylaRampey@yahoo.com
864-915-8094