Simply Redeemed

It happens in a moment...a decision is made, a word is spoken, a relationship severed, and from that point on, life changes forever. What doesn't happen in a moment however, is how time...and the enemy, re-writes history and plays it back in such a way that the event is not even recognizable to everyone else that also was present.
Recently, I had the privilege of reconnecting with a sorority sister from college. As we talked and laughed and recalled days long gone by, I realized that the Karen I remembered was far different than the one she remembered. I remembered a girl who had no idea what college was about and was only there because the high school principal offered her a scholarship. She was someone who was incredibly insecure and unsure of who she was outside of who her parents and the church said she should be. She laughed and cried, loved and hurt, succeeded and failed all while keeping up the mask that prevented anyone from seeing the fear that gripped her soul. She feared above all, being humiliated and left alone...so the m.o. was hurt them before they hurt you. And that is what she did...left school after her second year after almost flunking out and never went back.
In her mind, everyone there thought she was a psycho-chic, desperate and needy. Someone who was just shy of being on the Jerry Springer show or running off with some idiot and living in a house trailer in nowhere Tennessee. She thought no one ever thought of her again or even remembered her name. The memories of laughter, love and success were met with regret and a longing to go back and reclaim what the enemy had stolen. The memories of tears, hurt and failure were as clear as day...recalling every shameful detail of mistakes made out of immaturity and inexperience. There was nothing done in that short 2 years to be proud of ...nothing honorable, nothing praiseworthy. At least that's how time...and the enemy had rewritten the story.
But God, in His lovingkindness, allowed the history book to be opened after 27 years and the pages to be read from a different voice. The story was one of grace and redemption, forgiveness and mercy. The veil of shame that I carried with me all those years fell as I saw myself through the eyes of my sister.
I had been a teenager, with all of the wisdom and experience that a teenager has been afforded, and yet, I had tried and judged myself as an adult. I had pointed the finger of accusation and said to myself "You should have known better; you should be ashamed of all of the things that you did; you professed to know Christ at the time!". The verdict was guilty, but the punishment was served by one who lived a perfect life. All of these years, I knew the truth of the gospel, but had lived as one who still carried with her the judgement of life in prison. I know that the prison door has been wide open for 27 years, but the shame of the past has kept me hiding in that cold, dark cell. But thanks be to God, during a 4 hour dinner in Birmingham, I walked out of that cell, and hopefully will never return!
Recently, I found a new song...recorded by Heather Headly, and it so beautifully sums up my life, I just have to post it here.

SIMPLY REDEEMED

I am a Christian
Do you know what that means?
Means I’m far from perfect
Simply redeemed
I was bought with a purpose
Purchased by love
It’s not a form of religion
But a gift from above
I am not perfect
I have been redeemed

I am a believer
Do you know what that means?
Means I’ve pledged my life
Gave Him everything
And just to think He loves someone like me
I am not perfect
But I have been redeemed

Chorus
Redeemed
While I was yet in my transgressions
Somebody paid the price for me
I offered up my life to Him
And now I say again
I am not perfect
Simply redeemed

I am your sister
Let me show you the way
We’ll walk this road together
Take it day by day
By faith I know we’ll make this journey’s end
Make no mistake about it

Chorus
You have been redeemed
Redeemed
While you were yet in your transgressions
Jesus, He died set you free
So offer up your life to Him
Accept this gift and we’ll begin
To walk together

I have been redeemed
While we yet in our transgressions
Jesus He died for you and me
So offer up your life to Him
Accept His love, and then begin
To walk together hand in hand
Then surely He will heal our land
And on that day He comes again
And we will find our rest in Him
Then we’ll be perfect
Simply Redeemed