Growing up in the country had its advantages. I learned to drive a riding lawn mower when I was eight years old, but Dad always supervised me. He and I were close. When the tractor was stored in the garage on a typical non-mowing day, we could drive it in the yard and down the path in the bean fields behind the house.
One day, I drove the tractor around the backyard and showed off for my friends. I zig-zagged and cut sharp turns. But I wasn’t laughing when I lost control of the wheel and hit and broke the stone bird bath. My friends scattered like flies in a windstorm, and I took the pieces of the bird bath and hid them in the garage. I didn’t tell my father.
I was frightened, but Dad was gentle when I later confessed. It hurt me more to hear him say, “I need you to come and tell me right away when you have done anything wrong. I love you and want to help you. Let me know what’s happening at all times.”
In Leviticus, God promised to remember His covenants if the Israelites repented and confessed their sins. Despite their continued wrongdoing, God would grant them forgiveness if they confessed their sins and asked God to forgive them.
God loves us and wants us to obey. That’s not always easy, but He will do the same for us as he did for me and the Israelites.
Trust God and His grace and mercy. He gave His one and only Son. We can tell Him the truth. He gives us joy. Give Him your all.
Sandra Todd is a writer.