NOVEMBER 28, Proverbs 15:3

“Where’s Friskie?” wondered Monica when she got home from school. He always meets me at the door. Then she saw it - a trail of tissue paper. “Oh, you did it again, you naughty puppy!” scolded Monica. “Come here, Friskie!” A white ball of fur came slinking out from under Monica’s bed, tail tucked between its legs. Monica laughed. “You know you’re guilty, don’t you?” she said, picking up the puppy and fluffing his fur. “But I love you anyway, and I forgive you. Let’s get this mess cleaned up.”

That night, Monica had trouble sleeping. She couldn’t forget something bad she had done that afternoon. She tossed and turned. “Why did I do that?” she kept asking herself. “Why did I steal? I’m a Christian, and I know Jesus must be unhappy with me. I wish I could hide!” She pulled the blanket over her head, but it didn’t help. Suddenly, Monica shivered. It seems as if… as if… “Mom!” she called. “Mom!”

The light came on, and Monica blinked as she lowered the blanket and saw her mother’s concerned look. “Oh, Mom,” gasped Monica, wideeyed, “I thought… well, it seemed like… like God was right here.”

Mom smiled. “You know the Holy Spirit is always with you,” she said, “but why does that frighten you? God loves you.” Monica shivered. “I… oh, Mom, I stole some money from Su. It was on her desk, and…”

“And that’s why you’re afraid,” said Mom when Monica paused. “The sense of God’s presence is frightening when we have sin in our lives. It makes us want to hide from Him, but we can’t do that.” She put her arms around Monica. “Remember how Friskie tried to hide after dragging the tissue paper down the hall from the bathroom?” Mom asked.

Monica nodded. “Yes, but it didn’t work. I knew where he was hiding and I knew what he did. He knew, too. I could tell he was ashamed, and I forgave him.” “When we’re sorry and confess our sin, God forgives us, too,” said Mom. “I will confess my sin and ask God for forgiveness,” said Monica. Her voice trembled. “I’ll return the money tomorrow.” Together, Mom and Monica bowed their heads and prayed.

Thought: Does God’s presence comfort you or make you afraid? It should make you afraid if you know of a sin in your life and are unrepentant.

Prayer: Father in heaven, thank You for the reminder that You know everything and that everywhere is in Your presence. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.