Pride forgets. Humility remembers.
Priscilla Shirer, Gideon
I distinctly remember singing along with Babbie Mason’s After All as a relatively new Christ follower back in the early 90’s, lyrics barely audible for the tears. By the time I reached the final verse, my heart cry was Lord, please don’t ever let me forget my past.
It’s not that I wanted to focus on my past but I didn’t want to forget it either, for it was there I came to know Christ, smack dab in the pit of my own making, i.e., rock bottom. Because I know my propensity for pride and self-reliance when
circumstances improve, my heart cry remains the same today after all
these yearsโespecially after all these years.
circumstances improve, my heart cry remains the same today after all
these yearsโespecially after all these years.
I don’t want to forget. Therefore, I choose to remember:
- The ugliness of my sin – and God’s breathtaking blanket of grace that covered it all.
- The depth of my shame – and God’s startling and awe-inspiring unconditional love.
- The bondage of my sin – and God’s freedom, loosening me from its grip for an eternity.
- The stumbling of my flesh – and now, because of Christ, I’m able to stay in step with the Holy Spirit.
May I never forget.
After All, by Babbie Mason
I heard You calling
I felt You knocking
But I drew further from You
Everyday
I knew better
Still my heart grew colder
And I just kept on going my own way
But after all that was said
And done with me
After all my pride
And my fall
I was so amazed
To still find You there
After all I’ve done
You still love me
After all.
Your eyes said welcome
Your arms were open
How could I ever doubt
Your love was real
You never mentioned
All my past rejections
Words can’t express the way
That makes me feel
CHORUS
To freely forgive
It’s so hard to do
But You completely forgave me
And I will spend
My whole life with You
After all,
Forever and always.
And done with me
After all my pride
And my fall
I was so amazed
To still find You there
After all I’ve done
You still love me
After all.
Your eyes said welcome
Your arms were open
How could I ever doubt
Your love was real
You never mentioned
All my past rejections
Words can’t express the way
That makes me feel
CHORUS
To freely forgive
It’s so hard to do
But You completely forgave me
And I will spend
My whole life with You
After all,
Forever and always.
Thank You Jesus, for loving me…after all.
What’s a particular song God has used to remind you of His grace and mercy towards you?
Wow. That was lovely, Cathy. You're right…we tend to forget, try to forget, put it behind us. But, there's truth and lessons and self-forgiveness in recall.
Thanks so much, Deb. I agree — there are many lessons learned when we're brave enough to look back while moving forward.
Blessings to you!!
Yes and amen. But so glad the past is not my present.
Amen, indeed Marcia! I love the way you put it…the past is not my present.
Thank You, Jesus. ๐
I love the new look, Cathy! And I love the new focus. I can't wait to see how He stirs you ๐