The Bible says, “And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife.” Genesis 3:21 (NLT).

Have you ever really messed up in life? I mean have you done something so bad that you couldn’t forgive yourself and you sure knew there was no way on earth that God would either? If you answered, “yes”, to those questions then you are in good company. Everyone one of us had made mistakes. In fact, just to encourage you that we are all on the same, level playing field, the Bible goes on to say, “For EVERYONE has sinned; we ALL fall short of God’s glorious standard.” Romans 3:23 (NLT).

You fell when you first started walking, you weren’t perfect when you made your first sounds and read your first book, you struck out in wiffle ball, you missed a free throw, the ball bounced out of your mitt, you fumbled the ball, you stepped on the soccer ball when you meant to kick it, you’ve said something dumb and you’ve done something stupid. Welcome to the party; none of us are perfect.

But, I would have hated to have been Adam and Eve.

God took the time to create this world for them to enjoy. He took the time to form Adam from the dust of the ground and breathe life into his body. He took the time to create Eve. He took the time to create them in HIS own image. They had it all and then one day they didn’t.

We know that  Adam and Eve disobeyed God. We know that they tried to hide from him. They were scared and they were ashamed. They knew right away that what they did was wrong. Sound familiar?

But, there is always hope for the mess that you have made.

Adam and Eve paid the consequences for their sin. They were banished from the garden. Adam would have to work really hard and Eve would have to endure the pain of childbirth. We pay the price for their sin everyday.

One day Jesus would pay it all for us! His death on the cross would bring an eternal hope for those who would simply call on him. The blood that Jesus shed on that cross also washes away our sins.

The Bible says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 (NLT).

God loved the world so much that he would send us Son to die on the cross. He loves us so much that he still takes care of us even when we sin. What a great father to have the compassion to clothe his children when they messed up. Adam and Eve must have been in awe of his love for them. What a great father that you and I have that he cares enough to take care of us and all of our needs even when we feel like crap for the mess that we’ve made.

Be encouraged today to know that God loves you no matter what you have done. You are forgiven and the past no longer defines you! Don’t listen to the snake in the garden but rather to the God who created the garden.