I had the opportunity to return to my West Tennessee roots this week.  My schedule took me to the UT Martin campus for a series of meetings.  While it’s always good to be back “home”, this trip was especially fun because the annual Soybean Festival was taking place in downtown Martin.

The festival brings folks from all over the mid-south to Martin.  Thousands of people were milling around the square and the shops downtown.

While on campus yesterday afternoon, I ran into someone that I hadn’t seen in almost 30 years.  They were in town for the Soybean festival and we had 10 minutes to catch up.

He started telling his wife stories about our youth.  Stories from our middle and high school years.  Some of the stories I’d forgotten.  Others I had tried to forget.

I walked away from that conversation a little embarrassed.  Exposed.  Ashamed.  I felt..naked.

We all have aspects of our past (and present) that we are ashamed of.  Bad habits or old wounds that we hope time will cover and distance can erase.  I certainly do.

But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.  Matthew 10:30

But Jesus knows everything about us.  He knows our fears, doubts and weaknesses.  We can’t hide or outrun our sinful nature.  He knows it all.

He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.  Psalm 147:4

Fortunately, we have grace.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16

We are all sinners, but we have hope.

Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.  Luke 12:7

Jesus loves us- warts and all.  Thank God.

God bless you.