Guilty  (Read Psalm 130)

Monica's heart felt like lead. I shouldn't have done it. Oh, 
why did I? As she opened the front door, she pasted on a
smile. "Hi, Mom. I'm home." There was no answer. She
started down the hall. "Friskie?" she called. "Here, boy."
Where was Friskie? He always met Monica at the door.
Then she saw it-a trail of tissue paper from the bath-
room down the hall. "You did it again, you naughty boy!"
scolded Monica. "Where are you, Friskie? Come out."

A white ball of fur came slinking out from under
Monica's bed, tail tucked between his legs. Monica
laughed. "You know you're guilty," she said, picking up the pup,
"but I love you anyway, and I forgive you. Let's get this cleaned up
before Mother sees it."

That night Monica tossed and turned. She kept asking herself,
Why did I do it? She pulled the blanket over her head to hide! It 
seems like Jesus was standing beside her bed, looking through
the blanket, right into her heart. She shivered. It seemed...

"Mama! Mama!" She screamed, sitting up in bed.
The light came on. "What's wrong?" asked Mother.
Wide-eyed, Monica looked around. "I thought...it seemed like
...I mean...Jesus is right here."

Mother smiled. "He is," she agreed. "He's always with us. But 
why does that frighten you? He loves you."

Monica shivered. "I...I...just...Oh, Mama, I stole five
dollars from Sue. It was on her desk and ..."

Mother put her arms around Monica. "And that's why you're
afraid," she said. "The presence of the Lord is frightening only when
we have sin in our life. It makes us want to hide." Monica remembered
Friskie hiding under the bed and nodded. "When we confess 
our sins, his presence comforts us," continued Mother. "The Lord
Jesus loves you, honey and he wants to forgive you."

After Monica and her mother prayed, Monica snuggled under 
the covers. "I'll return the money," she said. "I can sleep now. 
Thanks, Mom." She knew God had forgiven her, just like- no, even
more than she had forgiven Friskie. Soon she was asleep.

How about you? - Does it comfort you or make you afraid to know that the Lord is with you? No matter what you have done, Jesus loves you. Confess your sin and ask his forgiveness. He wants to give you peace.

Key:  Confession Brings Peace

Memorize: "But there is forgiveness with You" Psalm 130:4

This is out of the book "The One Year Book of Devotions for Kids"  BUY IT  Copyright @ 1993 Children's Bible Hour

Updated 6/1/01