MAY 22, 1 John 1:9; Psalm 103:12

“…and please forgive me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.” Hannah sighed as she climbed into bed. After lying to her mother a few days earlier, Hannah had asked God to forgive her - but every now and then she still felt so guilty. Then she’d ask Him again. Mom smiled and reassured her of forgiveness, gave her a kiss, and turned off the light.

The next afternoon, Mom suddenly exclaimed, “Oh, Hannah, I was supposed to ask if you wanted to go shopping with Grandma this afternoon, and it slipped my mind! I’m afraid it’s too late now. I’m so sorry.”

“Oh-h-h-h,” wailed Hannah. “That would have been so much fun!” Mom felt bad. “Can you forgive me?” she asked. Hannah sighed, but nodded.

As the family sat down for dinner that evening, Mom looked at Hannah. “I’m so sorry about forgetting the shopping trip, honey,” said Mom. “Please forgive me.”

“That’s okay, Mom,” Hannah replied. She helped herself to some chicken. “This looks so yummy!”

After dinner, Hannah helped Mom clear the table. “Honey, I do feel bad that you missed the excursion with Grandma,” said Mom. “Will you forgive me?” Hannah gave her mother a puzzled look. “I told you it’s okay, Mom,” she said, not noticing her mother’s smile.

When Hannah was ready for bed that night, she prayed, once again asking God to forgive her for the lie she had confessed so often. Then she happily jumped into bed. “About the shopping trip, honey,” began Mom as she tucked the blankets around Hannah, “can you forgive me for…”

“Mom! You’ve apologised over and over!” objected Hannah. “I forgave you the first time, but you sound as though you don’t believe me!”

Mom smiled. “Isn’t that also how you sound to God?” she asked gently. “You sinned when you lied to me about where you had been the other day. You were sorry and confessed it to me and to God, and I think you know I have forgiven you. God says He forgives you, too, yet you continue to confess the same thing again and again-as though you don’t believe Him.”

Hannah was startled. Then she grinned. “I guess you’re right,” she admitted. “I’ll just thank Him for forgiving me, and thank you, too, Mom!”

Thought: Do you still feel guilty after you have confessed a sin to God?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your assurance that my sins are forgiven when I sincerely repent, confess and seek Your forgiveness. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.