Freedom from the past

I found this little story in a book I have by Corrie ten Boom. On this blog I feel like I am always hammering about making the right decisions, staying pure etc. because I hope and pray that this blog will keep girls from doing things they will regret. But there are lots of girls who have already made foolish choices. Maybe you are one of them. I want to share this story as a reminder that no matter what you have done in the past, if you repent and turn to God He will still use and bless you. Though you have to live with what you've done, you don't have to live condemned.

There was to be a dinner party in a beautiful home beside a river. I had spoken the night before on the subject, 'The problem of sin has been solved on the Cross of Jesus Christ.' And I was glad to see that Jack was present tonight, because I had seen a look of obvious distaste on his face during my talk the night before.
And now Jack said, 'I believe that there is remission of sins through Jesus Christ, but redemption? No, I can't see that. We have to carry the consequences of our sins as long as we live.'
After dinner we continued our talk in the garden. There were only three of us now; John, with whom I had been working for the past two weeks, and Jack, who was relating his experiences to us. It was a sad story.
'We were not very good boys in high school. I dated a lot of different girls, and one time things went wrong. I had to marry the girl; and four months later the baby came. I want to become a minister; but if people hear about this my whole career will be gone. I am living a lie, and don't know what to do about it. I'll have to bear the consequences of my sin as long as I live.' As he spoke I continued praying for wisdom. Then John began to speak.
'Nevertheless there is redemption. Jesus does not patch things up. He renews. If you will ask Him to go back with you to that dark spot in your life, He will change its darkness into light.'
'But what must I do?' asked Jack. 'I have been converted, as people call it, and I have accepted Jesus as my personal Saviour.'
'You still have to surrender your life completely to Him. Turn over all the keys of your life to Him.'
'I am willing to do it, but I don't know how to express it,' said he.
'Just ask the Spirit of God to give you the right words,' All three of us then prayed, and Jack said, 'I don't understand these things, but here I am, Lord, I know that you have said "Him that cometh unto Me I will in no wise cast out", and "A broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise."'
Just then I was called into the house. An hour later as I was leaving, Jack said to me, 'Corrie, I can laugh again; I haven't been able to laugh for a year. but now I am free.'
And I knew that it was true.