Confession Leads to Mercy

As a mom, I am trying to teach my kids that  "he who conceals his sin does not prosper, but he who confesses and turns from his sin finds mercy."  When I was a young girl in middle school, I had a good friend that made me mad.  So I decided to do what every mislead youth does--RETALIATE.  I prank called her house and held up her line by leaving the phone off the hook.  While doing so something tragic happened.  Her father died.  Because I was holding the line, the hospital and emergency people could not contact her family to tell them the horrible news.  My actions caused this family to miss an opportunity to say good-bye. 

When I was confronted, I denied and lied.  For years, I built up protective walls around my heart denying my sin.  I honestly convinced myself that I was innocent of the accusations.  I began to despise and hate my friend because the guilt of my sin was eating me alive.  I chose to point my anger and rage towards her, the victim. 

I became a Christian when I was 16 (some 4 years later).  One of the things God called me to do was to confess my sin to this girl and her family.  With much fear and guilt, I confessed everything.  I remember the room was silent, and all eyes were pouring with tears.  Then I was surrounded by hugs and warm embraces.  I was told that the family had the phone company run a trace to determine the prankster, and that they had known all along.  The family told me that they had forgiven me a long time ago, and they were sorry I was living with the guilt for so long.  Instead of receiving much deserved scorn, anger words, or hatred, I found mercy. 

As my children come to me in brokeness over their sin, my heart is tender to them.  I pour out mercy.  When they are caught or resistant to the responsibility, I see that I need to step up the discipline.  This is even more true for our Father in Heaven when we come to Him with our sins.  He is rich in mercy, slow to anger, and abounds in love.