Dear Father, In studying the Scriptures, I have realized how, simultaneously, I gain knowledge of Your nature. I am amazed to know that You embody such admirable attributes. For instance, how You combine hate and love: You hate sin but love people. And daily, people sin; yet You observe gently, patiently, and even with understanding. I ponder how easily irritated I get; I walk away from relationships where a previously discussed wrong is repeated, but You operate differently. When we do today what we said we wouldn’t do yesterday; when our sins become so evident that scarlet cannot compete; when we are disgusted at our own wrongdoing and convinced to do more because we have judged ourselves unworthy of forgiveness; when society condemns us, You say to us, “Come now, and let us reason together; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow…” For humans, condemnation is often the preferred way to respond to wrongdoing, and sometimes what we call reproof is simply a reaction to irritation or anger. Though we are created in Your image, we often fall short of the ability to hate an act and still love the perpetrator, especially when we are not related by blood, and despite how limited our understanding is of the wickedness in the human heart. Yet, in seeing the depths of our hearts, You still love us the same. And despite the magnitude of our sin, You wait patiently and call us to return. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu #LettertoGod #grace #mercy #secondchances