An Accidental Hero (22 page)

Dear Reader,

When we hear the word
saved
, we not only remember the day we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we also think of everyday heroes, brave souls who daily set aside their own fears to rescue those in need, as the policemen and firefighters did on that fateful day in New York City.

Even the strongest of us have moments of weakness, when we need to be saved…from the pain caused by the death of a close family member or friend, the illness of a child, unwanted career changes, the loss of a precious keepsake. We need to be saved from the pain of being let down by someone for whom we care deeply. For a reason I’ve never understood, that pain is never as punishing as admitting
we
have transgressed.

Why, then, is it easier for us to forgive others than to forgive ourselves? Maybe it’s because, having suffered at the hands of others, we know exactly how it feels, and “knowing” makes us ashamed to have caused that kind of pain in another. Or maybe it’s because we can’t imagine
God
forgiving our offense.

But that’s where we’re wrong; throughout the Bible, we read examples of the Father’s tender mercy. So the real trick is convincing ourselves
we
are as worthy of His perfect love as any other sinner, from Eve to King David to Mary Magdalene!

“Wherefore I say to thee, your sins, which are many, are forgiven.” (Luke 7:47-8)

That’s
the promise I cling to when self-doubt darkens my heart, and that’s the lesson Reid and Cammi needed to learn—individually
and
together….

If you enjoyed
An Accidental Hero,
drop me a note c/o Steeple Hill Books, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279. (I love hearing from my readers and try to answer every letter personally!)

All my best,