Nothing… absolutely nothing…

The pastor slumped slightly in his chair.

The man on the other side of the coffee table wept. Sobbed.

They both knew.  This required mandatory reporting.

“What will happen to me?”

“You will most likely need to go to prison.”

“Do you hate me?”

“No. I love you.”

“I don’t want to be alone.”

“This is too hard.  We all make mistakes.  Perhaps some bigger than others.  And there’s consequences for each one.  But, let’s face it.  There’s some things you’re going to need to fix.  There’s stuff you just can’t do anymore.  But I promise I will walk through this with you.”

“Even in prison?”

“Even in prison.”

The sobbing continues.

“What about God?  Does he hate me?”

The pastor.  Leaning in.  A gentle yet strong voice.

“No!  Not at all!  He sees his glory in you.  And he knows that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18

“Should I be afraid?”

“God is love.  There is no fear in love. Perfect love drives out fear.” 1John 4:18

“I’m going to miss him.”

“Be strong and courageous.  The Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

“You mean… he’s gonna hang around?”

“No matter how small, or how big, the mistake… God promises to walk with us.  Nothing.  Absolutely nothing will change his mind.  He loves us.  He loves us so much.”

I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:38-39