One Last Chance

'One last chance, I'll give it one last chance. After that I'm done.' She thought to herself as she opened the door to the church.

She was a prostitute. It was the only way she felt she could get any affection from anyone. Her mother had up and left her when she was four. Leaving her with her abusive father.

Shame filled every crevice of her spirit. She wanted to do better. She really did. She just didn't quite know how. She had tried so many times to come to the Lord. She knew all about Him. So many churches she had gone to searching for Him. And everywhere she went He never came.

'Why would He?' She thought. 'What would He want with someone like me anyway.' But still something inside her told her to just try one more time. So she did. Not really expecting much. But she needed to at least try.

As she entered the church the pastor was speaking about purity. 'Well, if it isn't my lucky day', she thought. She was late and everyone turned to stare at her. She could all but feel their condemnation and almost walked out, but something made her stay.

She sat in the back of the church. Part of her wanted to go. She didn't think she could take the shame that was building up in her heart. But parted of her wanted to stay. Part of her needed to stay. Something was going to happen.

As the pastor winded down and began the alter call her heart began to beat frantically. Something was going to happen. Her spirit rose within her. Something was going to happen. "If you want to accept the Lord as your personal Savior please come to the front", the pastor announced.

She didn't want to go. She was scared. But something pushed her off the pew and all but dragged her to the alter. When she reached the alter the pastor said to her, "Miss, would you like to accept the Lord today?"

She didn't want to answer. She was too scared. What if this was a gimmick? But something opened her mouth and she said "Yes, yes I would." And he prayed the Lord's prayer with her. And when she said amen it happened.

She dropped to her knees and tears began to flood down her face. She couldn't stop crying. Her heart was in so much pain. And when she looked up there He was. Her Savior. He smiled at her and placed His hand on her heart. She felt the pain from all those years of abandon leave her spirit.

"I'm so sorry Lord. I failed you. I tried to be someone better. But I just couldn't do it. I'm so sorry. I'll understand if you don't want me." She cried to the Lord. He just looked at her with forgiveness in His eyes and said, "My child, my sweet child. I have already forgiven you. There is nothing for you to be ashamed of."

"But Lord, I'm a prostitute. Surely there is someone much more worthy than me."

"That is what you were. That is not what you are any longer. All old things are passed away, behold all things are made new. I have chosen you. You need not worry about anything else every again."

And she began to cry again. "But why?" she asked. He simply said, "Because I love you." And for the first time in all her life, she believed it. He picked her up and carried her out of the church.

She was so thankful that the Lord had forgiven her. She knew that if she ever felt lost or discouraged that He would be there to see her through it. Words could not express her joy. She had found love. She had found salvation. But most of all, she had found her Savior.