Ps. 69:5
You know my folly, O God; my guilt is not hidden from you
My sister and I visited Austin often when we were young. Finding entertainment in our budget was a challenge. Even though I was twelve, at the pool I told the lifeguard I was eleven to get in free.
My problems were further complicated at church. To be in the youth department, I had to be thirteen. It seemed only fair to me that if I smudged the truth to go swimming, I should at least smudge the truth to go to church.
These small lies worked for me until the church youth retreat. I left the cabin, heading for the dining room, when I saw the lifeguard from the city pool. Heat flooded my face.
“What’s he doing here?” I said to my sister. She rushed into the dining hall while I hid in the trees. Shame burned my throat. Darkness crept across camp as singing and laughter floated through the night. Suddenly I understood the separation of sin. Liars didn’t belong in the church youth group. I was a liar.
“Peggy,” the Lifeguard said and sat down on the log beside me. “What’s the problem, kid?”
“I…I lied to you.”
“That’s not good.” He tugged on my ponytail. “But the bible says, If we confess our sin, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sin.
“I’m sorry,” I cried. “I promise, I’ll pay.”
“Then it’s forgotten.” He squeezed my shoulder. “Let’s eat.”
“But …I lied to the preacher. I’m too young to be here.”
“Well, let’s go in and tell the pastor. I know he’ll forgive you too.”
Learning to confess is a powerful lesson. Learning to run to God quickly and ask for forgiveness when we sin keeps us in close relationship with God. Left un-confessed, sin can plunge us into deep water.
God ,help us when sin pulls us into deep water. Thank you for forgiving us and carrying us to the safe shore of relationship. Show us our folly, and help us confess. We thank You that Your truth will set us free.
Peggy Freeman
