I know what I've been, but do I know what I am?

I'm stuck on forgiveness - or more acurately on accepting forgiveness.  You can see it easily from this strong case of the "yeah, but's" I've developed.  "God loves and accepts us as we love and accept our own children."  Yeah, but I really messed up....   and I did the things I swore I'd never do again....  "I don't have to carry the weight of who I've been, cause I'm forgiven"  Yeah, but I just can't believe I did that...  

Sound familiar at all?  God's ready to hold us in his loving arms and welcome us as we are, but we aren't quite able to accept his forgiveness and love.  Do we feel that we deserve more suffering or that (with apologies to Garth and Wayne) "we're not worthy" of acceptance?  I'm not sure.  Maybe its an excuse to stay where we are and not move back to a positive productive way of life? Hmmmmm.....  

Regardless, I like "Forgiven" by Toledo's very own Sanctus Real because it reminds us that whether we choose to accept forgiveness or to keep reliving our lives in the middle of the night - we are a treasure in the arms of Christ.   (Scripture #1 and #2)   His absolution is more powerful than our own self-doubt.

 So, if the son of God can love us in our imperfection, maybe I can accept His mercy and know what I am - forgiven.