A Sinful Woman Forgiven

As each new year approaches, I often anticipate a fresh start, though I also feel some anxiety about potential challenges ahead. In 2025, there were many blessings—like welcoming a new grandchild—but my husband also struggled with illness. Thankfully, he's doing better now.

Reflecting on this idea of a "fresh slate," I was reminded this morning that, according to my faith, God offers to wipe our slates clean when we trust in Him. This passage from Luke 7:36-50 deeply resonates with me as someone who has made many mistakes and poor decisions throughout life, until I reached a point where I turned to God, asking for transformation and a new direction.

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“One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. 37And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. 39Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” 40And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”

41“A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 44Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” 50And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

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The words, “Now which of them will love him more”?  Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” deeply resonate with me because I’ve experienced that forgiveness myself. Have you? Or do you sometimes feel trapped in circumstances—maybe ones you brought on yourself—without an escape?

In earlier posts, I mentioned how satan tries to isolate us, feeding us lies until we begin to accept them as truth, cut off from those who genuinely care. He convinces us that if everyone knew our mistakes, they’d turn away, but that’s simply not true. When I realized that those closest to me had made their own life issues, it helped me see I wasn’t alone. That understanding brought freedom as I relied on Jesus, who guided me out of the pit I’d fallen into with satan’s help.

Today, I am FREE—and it's all thanks to God's grace and my choice to move beyond selfish decisions and embrace His plan for my life. I've never once regretted choosing to follow His will, as He truly wants the best for us. Nothing compares to the peace that comes when you're exactly where God wants you to be. Only here can real peace be found.

If you’re feeling lost or overwhelmed as 2026 begins, try repeating Proverbs 3:5-6 to yourself. Doing so can help shift your perspective from relying solely on your own understanding to trusting in God for guidance, which will lead you toward peace. This approach helped me, and I believe it can help you too. Also, find a group of women at your local church who meet often in Sunday School or Community Groups. These are excellent places to find other women who are part of a life-giving and encouraging atmosphere for you to grow in.

I would love to hear from you and pray for you. As I have shared so much of my life, I would love to hear your story. Email me at sonya@whymegod.org.

Praying that 2026 will be a year of peace and abundant blessings for you and yours!