Philemon 10-12, 17-18, "I appeal to you for my child _______, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment, who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me...
If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me. But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account."

Imagine these words being spoken by Jesus to God. And imagine your name being filled in the blank. To think we were useless to the advancement of the kingdom of God prior to being converted. However, as a child of God we actually are an important asset to the advancement of God's kingdom.

Peter encouraged the local churches of his day with many words, words like what we read in 2 Peter 1:8-11 that mirror this idea from Philemon 10-11, "For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you."

Thank God for what he's brought you out of and what he's going to bring you home to. I've always liked verses 17-18, and thought of that as the kind of defense Jesus will present to God on our behalf on the Judgement Day.