THE DIRTY CLOTHES HAMPER

“One who conceals his wrongdoings will not prosper, but one who confesses and abandons them will find compassion.” (Proverbs 28:13 NASB)

The timing could not have been any more perfect. It was like it was predestined to happen. It was like it was like what was about to take place had been scripted. It was like a set up by the Divine hands of God. Okay, okay, okay, I’ll get on with it!

Mother had just finished the last load of laundry. The dirty clothes hamper was emptied. She is about to leave the laundry room when her nine-year-old son suddenly entered the room. His face looked like he had an emergency. He had a serious stern expression on his face. Mother asks her son, “What’s wrong?” The nine-year-old says, “I prayed yesterday and I asked the Lord to forgive me of my sins. Today, while I was praying, Beatrice, (his older sister) heard me and said that I did not ask the Lord for forgiveness.” Mother face is the one that looks serious now. Her look conveyed that she was paying attention and perhaps she would have an opportunity to teach her son something. After a brief pause, the interaction continues. Mother stoops down so that she could look at her son eyeball to eyeball, and after putting her hands gently on her son’s little shoulders, she says, “I don’t think your sister was trying to upset you. I think she was trying to help you. You see, when it comes to confessing our sins, it’s somewhat like that dirty clothes hamper in against the wall. It’s empty to right now, but tomorrow, I guarantee you it will have some dirty clothes in it, and I will have to wash clothes again.” She continues, “That’s how it is with the issue of sin. We may not do anything really bad on any given day. We may not commit a big sin, but during the course of the day we might say something wrong, react to somebody in a not so good way, or we may purposely ignore helping somebody when we can, and when we should. So, you see, everyday we fall short of the glory of God. Every day, all of us, we sin.  So, just like there is a need for me to clean the dirty clothes every day, there is a need for all of us, not just you, to ask the Lord to forgive us of our sins. Sin does not come in sizes, even though some sin is greater or more harmful than other sins, but sin is just sin.  Therefore, I believe your sister was saying never forget to ask God to forgive you of your sins. That not only moves God to merciful forgive you and cleanse you, but it helps you become conscious of your commitment to live holy and right in the sight of God, and not to do the same wrong things again.” The nine-year-old son says, “Thanks, Mom!”

I wonder, “Did the none-year-old boy’s mother’s response speak to you?” Think about it and when you get though praying, go and have a great day. Be blessed!

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:9 NASB)

Committed to the climb,

Mark L. King