This poem is for all those who feel like they have waited too long...gone
too far...or have done too much to ever receive forgiveness, mercy and
love. Don't believe the lies of the enemy, for the truth is not in
him...and his goal is to keep you so bound up in your past...that you can't
see your future. Love is a word that's tossed about quite easily these
days...but the forgiving love of the Lord is unconditional, forever and it
paid sin's price, so you wouldn't have to. Believe the promise that you can
be forgiven...redeemed through the Son... and loved beyond measure. No one
has ever been rejected when they've knelt at the cross with a repentant
heart...the door is always open...and there will always be room.

"The Scars Forgiveness Made"

Anguished tears ran down his cheeks...no longer could he hide
From the painful realm of past mistakes, he had buried deep inside
Running here and running there only made him lose his way
And left him with a weary mind...at the end of every day

With a bitter soul and resentful heart, he staggered from the weight
Still too proud to lay it down...so he could stand up straight
Offense had wrapped its chain so tight he could not see the Son
Wasting time inside a battle that the Savior had fought and won

There it was...so plain to see...if the man would lift his face
He'd see the scars forgiveness made when Jesus took his place
But condemnation held him fast...a captive tightly bound
Unaware of the outstretched hands that could lead to solid ground

Feeling like he'd done too much to ever be made whole
Forgiveness was a foreign thought to his empty, shattered soul
But finally stopping to shift his load of guilt, regrets and shame
He heard a voice, so soft and clear, calling out his name

Standing still, he glanced around...unsure of what to do
Certain he'd heard that voice before, as it whispered "I love you."
Like water is to thirsty land...the cascade of healing grace
Flowed and covered the scars of sin...till he couldn't see a trace

Love called out from up above, "Can't you see I love you so?
You don't have to pay sin's price...for I paid it long ago.
Nothing that you've ever done will tear you from my heart,
See the scars forgiveness made...when I died to do my part."

"Ask me in...accept this gift...for salvation is the key,
I am the door you need to enter...to truly be set free.
Your past is covered...I'm here right now...let the burden finally fall,
Peace and joy...freedom and rest...you can truly have it all!"

Tears of gratitude fell like rain as the man knelt down and sighed
So relieved that he was loved, he put away his foolish pride
Knowing now the words were true; abiding love will never fade
And neither will the precious scars...that complete forgiveness made

Merissa Lee Kelley
August 16, 2007

"As far as the east is from the west, so far as He removed our
transgressions from us." Psalm 103:12