Change of heart

Earlier today I received an email from a young adult who was a teenager at a previous church where I served as youth minister. (I have changed a few minor details to make it anonymous, but this person did give me permission to post it here.) I will let the email speak for itself, but I did want to mention that notes like this remind me of the power of God and encourage me to never give up in ministry.

Hey Jason! I just wanted to let you know that I'm sorry for bad feelings I had about you and the church I used to attend and that whole culture for a really long time. Until recently, I was extremely judgmental and so zealous for tradition - I held bitter feelings for a long time.
But I want to ask you forgiveness, because you should know that I have a huge change of heart. Actually, my views about God are far more radical than I ever would have imagined - but the love of God and an understanding of grace and relationship and joy and freedom has changed me. I read stuff about your congregation that you attend, not wanting the denominational name of "church of Christ" and women in leadership roles and just embracing the freedom of a new covenant, stepping away from the spirit of the law, I am SO EXCITED to see you all following the leading of the Holy Spirit.
So I don't know if you ever even knew I had judgmental and negative feelings toward you all, but I did. And God has changed me and convicted me to ask forgiveness. I love you guys and continue to pray for breakthrough, joy, freedom, and UNITY in the ENTIRE body of Christ :)

Thank you to this person for their encouraging words and thank you to the God who never gives up on us.

shine!
Jason