JANUARY 27, Proverbs 28:13 

Jonathan took out his dad’s aftershave lotion and splashed it on his face before leaving the bathroom. When Mother stepped into his room a little later, she sniffed the air. “What do I smell?” she asked.

“Jonathan used Dad’s aftershave,”shouted Sophie from her room across the hall. “He didn’t take a shower again.”

Mother checked the bathroom. “His towel is damp,” she said. “Well, when I took a shower, the soap wasn’t even wet,” tattled Sophie. “He is so disgusting! Lots of times he just wets his washcloth and towel and pretends to have showered.”

“Is that true,Jonathan?”asked Mother.She stood in Jonathan’s doorway holding a bar of soap in one hand and the aftershave in the other.

“I just don’t like getting all wet,” Jonathan said defensively. “You are so gross,” sputtered Sophie.

“Shhhh.” Mother held up a finger. “Jonathan, I am sure you know that using this...” she held up the lotion, “...doesn’t take the place of using soap. When you splash on cologne or lotion instead of washing, you may smell nice, but the dirt remains.”

“Yeah, Jonathan,” taunted Sophie, coming to the doorway. “You cover up with lotion, but you are still dirty as a pig!”

“Well, Jonathan is going to take his shower,” said Mother, looking sternly at her son,“because it is important to keep our bodies clean.However, it occurs to me that we should also think about something even more important. Just like your skin gets dirty, your life and heart and thoughts can get dirty – only this ‘dirt’ is sin. Such things as pride or an accusing, unloving attitude fall into that category, Sophie. And so does deceiving your mother, Jonathan.”

Both Sophie and Jonathan squirmed with guilt as Mother continued. “We all sometimes try to cover up or hide the wrong things we do, but there is nothing we can hide from God.We need to confess our sin to Him.Then He will forgive us and wash us clean – as white as snow.”

Thought: Do you try to cover up your sins?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, remind me that You can see through any cover-up. I need to confess my sins and turn from them, and I do so now. I pray that You would “wash” my heart and life and make me clean in Your sight. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.