Not Even Eyelids

As he enjoyed a bounty of raisins with his brother and my children around our table, an ‘incident’ occurred.  Nothing major, mind you, but an infraction on his part that required correction.  I was tempted to overlook it, desirous of preserving my rock star status in his eyes, but it was [sigh] necessary.

Due to the patient and dedicated teaching of his parents, my nephew’s conscience was already pricked over his wrongdoing.  I knew because I saw it on his face: his head was cocked ever-so-slightly away from me, and his eyes squinted shut, the smallest crows’ feet wrinkling his perfect three-year-old skin.  You see, he’d gone to his own special place.  Away from me.  His toddler rationale:  if he couldn’t see me, then I couldn’t see him.  And if I couldn’t see him, I couldn’t discipline him.

Nice try, slim. 

It was as darling as it was absurd.

We’re not able to conceal ourselves and our wrongdoings from God any more than closing his eyes eclipsed him from my vision.  Much as I wished to lovingly teach, correct and restore my nephew, so too the Lord invites our confessions:

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
— 1 John 1:9 NLT

People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.
— Proverbs 28:13 NLT

Our Father spared nothing, not even His Son, to secure our forgiveness.  The knowledge that forgiveness has already been extended should liberate us to freely, though not flippantly, seek Him for restoration.

As a parent (and Auntie), I pray my children find me merciful in hearing their admissions of guilt.  I hope I demonstrate, in some small fashion, the loving instruction and grace so generously offered to me in Christ Jesus.  As a child of God, I pray I will run to my God for His merciful forgiveness, trusting fully in the sacrifice made to secure it for me.

We needn’t hide.  Nothing we do, no sin we commit, can separate us from God if we have trusted in Christ.  Nothing.  Not even eyelids.

 

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.  
— Romans 8:38,39