The party was a success. Lila was a hit when it came to devouring her little gray and pink birthday cake. She enjoyed it so much that it required a bath right in the middle of her party.
The next morning as the adults were getting dressed for church, the boys decided to release several of the pink and white polka dotted helium balloons throughout the house. One balloon managed to find its way to the ceiling fan in the living room. With every turn of the blades, the hot pink ribbon wound tighter and tighter around the mechanism holding the blades- to the point that the fan had to be turned off.
After church, our son-in-law, Robbie, decided to tackle the twisted ribbon that was wound tightly around the fan. He grabbed the stool from the bar in the kitchen to stand on. As he climbed up, the cushion began to slide. He got back down to remove it from the seat. As he lifted the cushion, he discovered—GREEN BEANS!
Robbie realized that the stool he had chosen was the same stool that Jake was seated in Friday for dinner. That night, Jake was adamant that he had eaten every green bean on his plate and therefore, he had not only gotten to go play, but he’d gotten dessert as well. Oh, did the tears begin to flow as Robbie confronted him. Jake insisted that he didn’t put them under the cushion. He was sent to his room. Kelly joined Robbie as they went up to talk with him as to what he had done, how he had lied and then hidden the lie. Sounds like a story in the book of Genesis!
Robbie asked Jake if he was upset because he had lied or because he had gotten caught in a lie. Just like a child, honesty flowed as he answered, “Because I was caught.” I thought of all the times, as a child, I had hidden my broccoli in my dinner napkin, and then asked to be dismissed from the table in order to go to the bathroom and promptly flush that nasty stuff down the toilet. I returned to the table acting as if I had eaten every bite. I am certain my parents never figured out what I was up to.
So often we think we can hide things from God, but He sees all and knows all. Jake had no idea his daddy would use the very stool where he had chosen to hide his green beans to get the ribbon and balloon out of the fan. Because of Jake’s lie and disobedience, he had privileges taken away.
Lying never pays off; it brings with it great consequences. As Christians, we need to understand all we do, all we say, and all we are is visible to God. If we choose to disobey, and then when confronted with our sin, try to hide it or lie about it, the consequence is separation from our Heavenly Father.
Our daughter said what really bothered her was that Jake lied, then denied the lie, and when confronted seemingly had no remorse for what he had done. Oh, he shed a few tears, but those were a result of being caught not because he was broken over his sin.
What “hidden” sin do you think God will never see or know about? Are you broken over your sin or has your heart become so hardened that you feel no remorse? Is your sin worth your relationship with Christ?
“These are six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness that speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.” Proverbs 6:16-19
“O God, You know my foolishness; and my sins are not hidden from You.” Psalm 69:5
dianne