There's an old saying when we see somebody fall into the mud pit, it goes like this: There, but for the grace of God, go I. Here's the problem: most of us don't mean it.

    We actually think, "I'd never do that!" when we see a pastor get caught in adultery, a friend caught with a prostitute or a friend embezzling tax payers money. No, I wouldn't do that.

    It is sometimes my first thought when I see a shamed face in the newspaper, I think, "but for the grace of God, go I." Here's what I meant by that:

    I'd fall like a hammer the day God left me alone for a second... I know myself. Or maybe I wouldn't, but even if I didn't, it wouldn't be for the right reasons... it'd be so I wouldn't embarrass myself or so I'd keep my job or something pathetic like that, something selfish.

    God (even though I never gave Him a single reason to) gave me the perfect gift, he killed His Son for my sins, setting everything right between he and I. And grace upon grace he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name sake and and shows me a way out in every temptation, all against the backdrop of the sin in my flesh that wants to go the other way.

    And then there's this: Even when I fall in the ditch (and I do), he restores my souls, his one act on my behalf holds up through every one of my sins, healing and restoring my soul. God's people everywhere, in light of God's mercy, "be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave us."

    To the suffering families of those who fall, you have our prayers and love, and to those who fall like me: God killed His Son for the sins of His people, believe that. Our prayers are for your full healing and restoration.