My oldest son came running towards me with some disappointing news. He had done something he wasn’t supposed to do, and because he hadn’t listened something bad happened. He wanted to get something out of our van while we were all playing outside. Unfortunately, he never asked me about it. Instead he attempted to open the locked van by picking the one and only lock on the entire vehicle with a twig. But, the twig snapped and left its small tip wedged in the keyhole.
When he came over to me to tell me about it, I could tell he knew what he did was wrong. He was remorseful, but he was also eager to help. Because of his repentant demeanor, I did my best to stay calm and assess the situation before punishing him. I took a look at the van and the twig was still hanging out of the keyhole. I tried to pull it out with my fingers, but needed a better tool. So, I tried a thin flat head screwdriver and a pair of tweezers, but those just got the stick stuck down in the pins of the lock even more. Finally, I called my husband over to help, and went inside to call AAA. Thankfully, with a little bit of wisdom and WD40, my husband was able to get the door open.
Later, while discussing the incident with my son I felt a strong urge to thank him for telling me about his mistake right away. Even though taking care of his mistake wasn’t the most pleasant thing to deal with, I’m very grateful that he was able to bring it to my attention immediately. Things would have gone much differently if I had not known about it and discovered it when I needed to use the van. Instead, he told me, we fixed it, and no one got in trouble.
While I was talking with my son, 1 John 1:9 entered my heart. It says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 (KJV)
I’m very proud of my son for telling the truth even when it was hard. He brought his mistake before us, his parents, and because of that we were able to take care of the issue in a timely manner. The situation could have been much worse if he tried to conceal his mistake. It’s just like sin. The longer I ignore a sin in action or a sin in heart, the more it festers and gets worse and worse. If it isn’t taken care of right away, I can cause so much more damage to myself and to others.
“Whoever conceals their sins will not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” Proverbs 28:13 (NIV)
I began to think of myself before the father, and the way He gives me mercy, grace, and forgiveness even when I know I don’t deserve it. Yet, He gives them to me so freely. It’s so beautiful, the way His love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).
Just as we were about to move on, my younger son, who had witnessed all of the action, came out to remind my husband and I who was really responsible for everything that had happened. When he started to speak his brother’s name in accusation, I stopped him and told him that we didn’t need to talk about it anymore.
This stung. The Holy Spirit’s conviction moved in me. How many times have I brought an old offense before God with accusation over a brother or a sister? How many times have they themselves already confessed and been forgiven of their offenses, and I’ve followed God’s act of mercy with self-righteous judgment?
It’s painful, but I’ve seen my own refection in the book of Jonah when the profit gets angry with God for His tenderhearted forgiveness.
“But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry.He prayed to the Lord, ‘…I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.’” Jonah 4:1,2b (NIV)
It’s sad, but it’s true. To my flesh God’s mercy and forgiveness seems unjust and unfair. Sometimes it doesn’t even make sense. Sometimes I really do like to see people getting their just desserts. Sometimes I can’t wait for what goes around to come around. Sometimes I sit back and wait and watch for people to get exactly what they deserve. But, where is the mercy in all of that? Where is the forgiveness? Where is the cross? Where is the grace?
Jesus didn’t sacrifice himself for a world without forgiveness. No, He brought forgiveness and grace to the world through His sacrifice. He made a way for us to come before Him and receive His perfect mercy.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:12 (NIV)
Cultivating a relationship full of mercy with my children keeps them coming to me with their mistakes. It helps them to trust me, and it brings them comfort to know that mom will help them through their issues. And, I know the same is true for my relationship with God. When I come before God with a repentant heart He so graciously gives me mercy. But, He doesn’t just give me mercy and move on. He fixes the problem and He gives me the keys to learn how to do things the right way—the righteous way. Ah, that’s how amazing His forgiveness is! It never leaves me abandoned or condemned. The goodness of His mercy is like a clean slate. It’s so good, and it’s so refreshing.
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord…” Acts 3:19 (NIV)
“The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul…” Psalm 19:7a (NIV)
Such wisdom. You’re a great mom!