Does He give up?

Today, I was at my 11 year old little sister's middle school to pick her up. I don't usually do this... but its Friday, so why not? I also had to bring over the permission form for a field trip that she had forgotten to bring with her this morning.

I navigated my way down the hall to her locker, where we met up. She said to me, " I have to lend my friend my notebook so she can get some notes from when she was sick. Will you go turn in the permission slip for me?"

"Well, okay but meet me out front in ten minutes." I told her. I wasn't crazy about squirming my way down the hallway, the only 18 year old amongst a bunch of 11, 12, and 13 year olds, but whatever.

I was actually kind of excited because the teacher I had to turn the form into had been one of my favorites. She always loved me back in my middle school days, so I figured she would appreciate a visit.

I walked into the room and was immediately greeted by an exclaim of surprise. "Sydney! How nice to see you again! Class, this is Sydney, one of my favorite students from about, what, 5 years ago...?" I was embarrassed, but it was sweet.

Anyway, we chatted for a few minutes and I gave her the form. There were still kids in her room, as they were staying after school to finish missing assignments.

I had heard a snippet of a rather disturbing conversation between 2 boys. They were talking about...um... well, where they were going to get drugs. And some other inappropriate things as well. Cringe. As I passed their table on my way out, I heard the one boy say, " Well, God gave up on me, so..."

That's it. Just those seven simple words. I couldn't believe it. I know in my heart that I was meant to hear those words. To come to this great revelation about God. I drove home in a daze (don't worry, I was still paying attention to the road!), and now here I am, writing this post.

None of us are perfect. None of us are truly *worthy*. Our great God though, He give us His unending grace anyway. I firmly believe that he doesn't give up. No matter how many mistakes we make, how many times we have to ask for forgiveness, He will always love us. God is mighty, His grace infinite.

"In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit," - Ephesians 1:13

So to this young teenager (whose name I know is Alex) : God hasn't given up. He's just been blown out of perspective, made to seem unattainable, but he ISN'T.

Repent. Ask for God's grace and His guidance in your life. We've all done wrong, but God is willing to give us a new life. A clean slate.

"For sin will have no domain over you, since you are not under law but under grace."  - Romans 6:14

Don't lose perspective. Closeness with God is something we can all achieve. Really, it's US who give up on God. Don't give up. Change your life!

As I was writing this post, the words to the song, Give Me Your Eyes by Brandon Heath, came to mind. We have to open our eyes, and choose to see what God wants us to see in our own lives and the lives of others.

Look down from a broken sky
Traced out by the city lights
My world from a mile high
Best seat in the house tonight

Touch down on the cold black top
Hold on for the sudden stop
Breath in the familiar shock
Of confusion and chaos

All those people going somewhere
Why have I never cared

Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me you heart for the ones forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see

Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah

Step out on a busy street
See a girl and our eyes meet
Does her best to smile at me
To hide what’s underneath

There's a man just to her right
Black suit and a bright red tie
Too ashamed to tell his wife
He's out of work, He's buying time


I’ve been here a million times
A couple of million eyes
Just move and pass me by
I swear I never thought that I was wrong
I need a second glance
Give me a second chance
To see the way you’ve seen the people all along

So there you have it: God NEVER gives up! His grace is more than enough. 

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness." - 2 Corinthians 12:9 

Blessings!