School was over for the day and as a group of us stood around chatting, I saw the coin fall from her hand, onto the ground. As we all scrambled to find it for her, I spotted it. Glistening in the sunlight, it lay propped up between the blades of grass, but instead of picking it up and returning it to its rightful owner, I casually slipped my foot over it. I was going to keep this treasure for myself. But then, one of the girls pointed an accusing finger at me, “You’ve got it, I saw you put your foot over it”. My face turned red and consumed by shame, I lied. I carefully moved my foot and the coin came with. “See, I don’t have it”. I’d gone too far now. All eyes were on me. How could I get out of this mess and save face? I couldn’t. Everyone could see I was lying. I had stolen the coin and I wouldn’t admit it. Time slowed as they all stared at me and at my foot. I continued to protest my innocence, to no avail. These girls weren’t going anywhere. I eventually moved my foot and acted surprised when I saw the coin. I shrugged, laughed as if it didn’t matter and walked off. I’d been caught in a lie and I knew they wouldn’t forget.
And neither would I. It’s been almost thirty years and I still remember that day.
Maybe that’s why I responded the way I did when I caught our daughter in a lie. She’d been disobedient and when I challenged her on it, she lied. I instantly recognised the shame and spotted her desire to cover over it as she continued to protest her innocence and make excuses for the deception.
I calmly and lovingly challenged her and showed her a way out of the hole she was digging. Repentance. The only way she could be free of the feelings of guilt that threatened to drown her precious heart was to admit that she’d been wrong, say sorry and choose to do what was right from now on.
I forgave her, showed her a better way, told her what the consequences would be and then I prayed with her.
As difficult as it was for both of us, it was also beautiful and I’m glad I was there to help her. It was a pivotal moment for us both. For my daughter, in terms of building her character, for me as woman and mom and for us, in our relationship. We feel closer now. We’ve pushed through a challenging moment and love and grace won.
The Bible tells the story of a woman who was shamed because of her many sins. She knew that only Jesus could free her from the weight of guilt she carried around with her. She falls at his feet and washes them with perfume and her heartbroken tears and in an instant, He forgives her.
“I tell you, her sins – and they are many – have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven” – Luke 7:47-48.
Have you been caught in a lie? Caught in sin? Is the shame of your many sins threatening to consume you?
It’s never too late to make things right. You are never too far gone to turn in the opposite direction and follow the way of truth. The way that leads to life in all its fullness.