“Well… what do you think?”

I was in my early twenties and in the living room with my dad. I had just gotten back from the hair salon, and I was excited about the style I chose.

“Uh…”, Dad said with a pause and a controlled smile, “it’s a little too short.” 

I figured that he wouldn’t completely understand the trendy pixie cut. 

I mean, if Halle Berry could pull it off, I figured I could, too.

I coaxed him to take a photo with me and he did, but he didn’t say much about my haircut after that. (If I could find that photo, would’ve shared it!)

Over time, I realized how high maintenance an ultra short hairstyle was, and it didn’t last long. I was at the salon almost every month to keep it the right length.

Looking back, I wonder what I was thinking! It was definitely a risky move. 

Although he didn’t approve of my cut, I knew my dad still loved me. His opinion mattered to me, and though we disagreed, he still respected me.

He didn’t make me feel condemned.

He didn’t make me feel small.

He didn’t make me regret it.

After all, this was just a haircut. 

Had I come home having made an awful decision with severe consequences, his reaction would have been different…but I know that he would never make me feel condemned, small, or regretful.

Because he’s never done that.

 You have a Father like that, too.

Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)

That promise applies to whoever has put their faith in Jesus. And it applies to whatever you have done.

Yes, God condemns sin… but He doesn’t condemn you.

How? Why?

According to Romans 8:3, because He condemned sin in the flesh by sending His Son, Jesus, to take it all.

Feelings of rejection and hopelessness and guilt don’t come from God.

Jesus bore our shame, and because He did that, we’re given the opportunity to walk in freedom….no matter our past.

I take so much comfort in that because I know I’ll still make mistakes…as a grown adult.

And when that happens, I still have a Father, though not approving of what I’ve done, will love me all the way through it.

He always has. He always will.

~Betsy