How Can Jesus Love me?

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 NIV You know, I look back over my life--all the mistakes, all the pain, all the problems, all the mess...all the SIN--and I wonder, just how is it possible that God could love someone like me? I mean really, I've done some pretty bad things during my time on this old earth. I've broken God's Laws and man's laws, and I've hurt people who genuinely loved me & wanted the best for me. I've been a thief, a drunk, a womanizer. I've been lazy, covetous, mean-spirited, and harsh. I've lied, cheated, gossiped--all in all, I'm just a low-down sinner. But, one day in January of 1991, in a broken heap in my living room in Bessemer, Alabama. I finally surrendered to God. After running from Him for many years--I decided to run to him instead. Has life been perfect since then? Heavens NO! But, God Himself has walked with me through my troubles & trials. He's loved me through a multitude of poor choices and some staggering heartbreaks. I refer to my old self as "Old Testament Tony" & my current self as "New Testament Tony." Just as Christ's coming divided time, His breakthrough in my life divided time for me as well. So, when I start thinking that I'm unlovable, unworthy, etc., I remember that Jesus loved me enough to die for me. Because of that and because I claim Him as my Savior, when God looks at me--it's not me He sees. He looks at me through the filter of Jesus' blood & sees the Jesus in me rather than this old sinful man. Oh, what a Savior! These were just some ponderings in my head that I thought Id share with others. I'm sure I'm not the only one who asks the question, "How can Jesus love me?" Blessings! Tony