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By Betsy Ore Glass

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” – Romans 8:1 (NIV)

We’ve all taken wrong turns. Some more public than others, some that leave scars—visible or invisible. Recently, I asked someone I care deeply about, “Was it worth it?” They were facing consequences that could no longer be pushed aside. Choices made in the past had caught up, and now the reckoning had a name, a symptom, a weight.

They told me they hadn’t shared sooner because they didn’t want to disappoint me.

That hit hard.

Not because I was disappointed—but because they thought they couldn’t be real with me. Friends, have we unknowingly created spaces where people feel they must be perfect in order to be loved?

Only Jesus was perfect. The rest of us? We’re messy. We stumble. We learn. We grow.

We must stop expecting perfection from those around us. God’s grace doesn’t come with a prerequisite for flawlessness, and neither should our love. Mistakes don’t disqualify someone from grace—they make them the very reason grace exists.

When someone opens up to you about their failure, don’t lead with judgment—lead with mercy. Let your heart echo the heart of God: forgiveness, compassion and an unwavering love.

Temptation is not reserved for the young, and peer pressure doesn’t retire. Every person, at every stage, is seeking love and acceptance. Sometimes, in pursuit of that, they take a detour. But God doesn’t lose sight of us when we get lost.

He holds on—steady and faithful.

We are not alone as we navigate the hard things. Coping, deciding, healing—none of it is easy. But in the mess, God places lifelines: a friend who listens without judging, a family member who forgives quickly, and His own presence, constant and tender.

So, was it worth it?

Maybe not. But what’s more important is this: it’s never too late for redemption, never too late to return, and never too late to be loved exactly as you are.

Betsy Ore Glass has long-standing ties to the Outer Banks. From Virginia Beach, her family bought a vacation cottage in the 60s and her love of the area began. Later in the 90s, Betsy and her husband bought a weekend cottage and introduced the area to their children. Then Betsy’s parents retired to KDH where the family gathered often. Reach her at betsyglass1@gmail.com or read additional Reflections at www.betsyoreglass.com.

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