Accepting Ourselves

"But because you are almighty, you are merciful to all; you overlook sins and give your children time to repent. You love everything that exists and hate nothing that you have made; had you hated anything, you would not have formed it. How could anything endure if you did not will it? And how could anything last that you had not willed? You have compassion on all because all is yours, O Lord, lover of life." - Wisdom 11:23-26

I was of the mind that God is so holy and we are always lacking in faithfulness, therefore are always sinning. I wondered to myself who would ever be pure enough to really walk with Jesus. I wondered what God thought of me and all the sins I commit time after time, and I would feel bad, so guilty before the Lord. Not at all worthy to even keep following Him. This verse was part of today's reading in mass and I felt God speak to me through it. It's one of the most beautiful things I have ever read in the bible. It tells us that beyond everything, even our wickedness, the Lord is good, kind, merciful, loving, and He waits for us to return to Him, with patience and understanding. For all the times I would feel such guilt before Him, like I am not worthy of Him, this verse tells us that He created us and sees us for what we are. The good and the bad, and He still loves us regardless. And if He didn't see good and love in who we are right now, as evil as we can be, He wouldn't allow us to keep existing because He loves what He creates and destroys that which He hates. We tend to be harder on ourselves and judge ourselves more severely than God Himself. I guess it's His will for me to be the sinner that I am now and that it's all part of His plan. But regardless, even if we're saints or sinners, His love is bigger than anything we've done or can do.

Today's Prayer:
Lord God, thank You for loving me and accepting me as I am. I am Your beloved child, and as I am, You have called me and love me. In Your Name we pray, amen.