Maybe it's only those who've made such chaos of their lives who can understand the heights and depths of God's mercy.

Stand firm in the Lord. Stand firm and let Him fight your battle. Do not try to fight alone.

Lord, you are God! You made us. Who better to know how to fix us when we've gone wrong? who better to set us to rights again? Who better to love us through the fire and refine us into something beautiful and useful despite our wrongs?

Julia looked back at Hadassah on the bloodstained sand. A great emptiness opened within her as she looked at the still form. Gone, too, was the salt that had kept her from completely corruption.

Everyone wanted to be the best. Best student. Best servant. Best Christian. They got caught up in it, pressing and pushing until they forgot whom it was they were trying to please.

Maybe it's only those who've made such chaos of their lives who can understand the heights and depths of God's mercy.

Have faith have faith. When you have nothing else have faith.