The Ever-Acceptor of Repentance

The Ever-Acceptor of Repentance

by Kateb Nuri-Alim Shunnar

Let’s be honest. No sugar-coating. No halos or high horses. Let’s just talk heart-to-heart—soul to soul. We’ve all done things. Not the kind of things we like to post about, but the kind of things that make us quiet when the topic of righteousness comes up. We’ve lied. We’ve hurt folks some we meant to, some we didn’t. We’ve made choices driven by fear, ego, insecurity, greed. We’ve said things we regret, held grudges longer than we held prayers, and let our darker selves drive us through some red-light seasons of life.

And still—still—the Creator wakes us up every morning.

With breath.

With grace.

With whispers from the wind and a sunrise that doesn't miss a day, even when we do. You still got food? Water? A heartbeat and the capacity to feel remorse or gratitude or love? That’s not by accident. That’s called unconditional love. That’s called the kind of mercy you and I don’t deserve but get anyway.

I’m not perfect. Lord knows I’m far from it. I’m Kateb, and I come to you as someone who’s had to learn, stumble, rise, and learn again. I’ve made messes. Hurt people. Hurt myself. But the way I’m getting better? The way I’m healing and finding alignment again? It’s through humbling myself and turning from what’s cancerous to my soul. I don’t need fireworks or someone to lay hands on me every Sunday to feel conviction. Sometimes, just hearing the birds sing reminds me the Creator’s voice still speaks in melodies. The rustle of leaves is like Him saying, “I’m still here, child.”

Scripture says, “If my people who are called by my name would humble themselves and seek assistance through patience and prayers, then will I hear from Heaven and heal their land.”

I believe that. It’s not spooky. It’s not fantasy. It’s faith. Real faith. Blind, bold, crazy faith. The kind that trusts the process when you don’t even see the path. The kind that believes dead bones can walk again. That water can be walked on. That broken people can be made whole.

And please hear me when I say this: You are connected to the Creator. Not because you’re perfect. Not because you’re religious. But because you are His.

It doesn’t matter your status, your skin tone, your gender, your past, your age, your bank account, your education, or your accent. That connection is unbreakable. It’s like wedding vows that say:

For richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death when we shall meet face to face again and You weigh my life in Your hands.

And see, that same love the Creator has for you yes you, I’m talking to you reading this right now that same love? You should have that for the people in your circle. Your family. Your neighbor. Even the one that gets on your last nerve. Even the one who betrayed you. Why? Because the Creator doesn’t pick and choose who gets mercy. Neither should we.

Must I remind you and myself that this life is not the end? So stop fixating on "I gotta get mine" in this life. Let me humbly say this in the softest tone: Get your house in order. And that house? That house is the soul.

What good is it to gain the whole world… Yeah, you know the rest. But in case you don’t:

What good is it to gain the whole world and lose your soul?

Sit with that. Heavily. Think about it. Think about the things you did or didn’t do. The comments you made. The people you frowned upon because you thought they weren’t good enough. The times you acted like you were self-sufficient and didn’t need the Creator’s guidance. Yeah… we all got those receipts. But guess what? The Creator doesn't cancel you. He calls you closer.

Now let me drop a little humor in here because, Lord knows, being spiritual doesn’t mean being stiff.

One day, I was working outside you know, just trying to be responsible and mind my business. My stomach? A little bubbly. But I ignored it. Figured I could push through. So I’m lifting something heavy, and yeah… it happened.

I passed gas.

But not just a little puff—it was like the Mississippi River had a surprise. 💨💦 💩

I froze. Embarrassed. Mortified.

The folks around me looked concerned.

"Kateb, you okay?"

I nodded like a guilty toddler, smiled, and said, “Yeah… I just need a little water.” Then I waddled off to go clean myself up, discard the evidence, and change.

Why do I share that?

Because spiritually, we all have those moments. We ignore the warning signs. We think we’re solid. But we end up making a mess sometimes a big one. And just like I had to go clean up, spiritually we’re given the grace to do the same. The Creator says, "Bring Me your mess. I’ll help you clean it up. You don’t have to sit in it."

That’s the kind of love we’re offered. That’s what being connected to the Ever-Acceptor of Repentance means.

AUTHOR'S FINAL WORD

You are not too far gone. You are not too broken. You are not too stained.

You are seen. You are heard. You are loved.

And you are still called. Called to heal. Called to rise. Called to love. Called to cleanse what’s wounded in you so you can offer peace to others.

So humble yourself. Cry if you need to. Laugh at your humanity. Dust off the shame. And start again.

Because the Ever-Acceptor of Repentance He’s not done with you yet.

And neither are you.

Baba Kateb Nuri-Alim Shunnar