Before God judges you
God loves you.
Before God sees your sin
God sees your wound.
Before God sees how you thrashed in the world
God sees what you are fighting off.
Before God sees you steal
God sees your hunger.
Before God sees the awful things you do to survive
God wants you to survive.
Before God punishes you
God protects you from further hurt,
because God never punishes,
but wraps gentle arms around you.
God’s judgment is always
that you need more love.
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Steve Garnaas-Holmes
Unfolding Light
www.unfoldinglight.net