As parents, it is common to encourage new activities for our children. My daughter went through a phase where she wanted to learn karate. One of her best friends was in a class and so we signed her up. This group had a kind teacher and happy children....wonderful, just what we want for her.
Now, let me paint the picture of the day my 2 year-old son went with me to observe the karate class...
Imagine a rickety old building, three stories high and on a busy city street. A plethora of electric wires hang in all directions that culminated in a bunch at the top of a pole amidst the pieces of a well constructed bird's nest. Next to the pole was a set of narrow rusty stairs with a thin metal railing. Each upward step brought enough movement to the structure to cause worry, but not enough for me to refuse to continue climbing. My daughter bound up the stairs with no worries at all, while I slowly crept up the incline. After conquering the stairs with my son on one hip, diaper bag and purse balanced on the opposite shoulder, sweat dripping down my forehead, I peered into the room. The only open spot to sit was in the far corner where there were no windows or fans (remember our family lives in the Caribbean).
So glad I came.
I love my daughter, I love my daughter, I love my daughter....
Flopping down in the open spot gave such a sense of relief. It must be what the people who climb Mt. Everest must feel. I am sure of it.
Now to settle in and watch this karate class. I tried to quietly watch while the energetic little one old climbed all over me as if I was a jungle gym. He begged for a snack and then a drink. As the Sensi called the kata, the students were all counting in Japanese, English and Spanish as they moved in sync. None of this held my son's attention and he returned to his climbing antics. Forcing myself to focus on my daughter's movements became increasingly hard, but oh so important as she would be talking about it on the ride home. We needed to remain quiet so the children could maintain centered on their sport.
Then...
Out of nowhere I felt a snap. A deadly sound followed. Hundreds of tiny beads popped off my necklace. The corner was quickly covered in green, gold and black teensy tiny pieces. My eyes lifted to watch more colored beads bounce across the karate mat. 600-million eyes all turned towards me in horror as the karate students began to step on these tiny pieces of plastic.
The shade of red that engulfed my face was the darkest it had ever been...ever, ever...in my entire life. Horror. Shame. Embarrassment. Where could I hide?
Every single one of us have committed mistakes. Some came because of bad choices, while others are pure accidents. Our true character is on display as we react. Do we stand our ground demanding our innocence or is there a sense of repentance for the wrong committed?
King Saul and King David had completely different reactions when confronted with their sinful choices.
King Saul was sent out by God to destroy the Amalekites. In his mind, he did enough. They won. They took plunder. But it was not what God had asked King Saul to do. The priest Samuel confronts King Saul in I Samuel 15:14, "...what then is this...?....what then is this?..." King Saul quickly placed blame on the soldiers and the desire to have something to sacrifice for God. He finished his list of excuses with these words, "...but we totally destroyed the rest." (v.15). Verse 16 is just lathered in attitude from both Samuel and King Saul as it is written, "Enough!' Samuel said to Saul. 'Let me tell you what the Lord said to me last night.' 'Tell me,' Saul replied." Obedience is what God desired and not this know-it-all attitude which makes excuses for bad choices. Oh King Saul, you missed the whole point and your "I'm sorry" was only de la boca para afuera, as we say in Spanish. This means it is just words upfront with no heart behind them. Sadly, this was a pattern in King Saul's life and this time, it cost him the throne.
King David had a long list of bad choices which ended in the death of an innocent soldier. (You can find the whole story in 2 Samuel 11.) The prophet Nathan comes to speak with King David. He slides in with a smooth story which moves King David to anger as he recognized the unjust actions. Nathan drops the hammer and pointed out King David's sin. David's reaction is recorded in 2 Samuel 12:13, "...I have sinned against the Lord." These words speak volumes. He admits sin. He admits how his sin against another man is also sin against God. He admits how obedience to God's Word is required for those who fear Him. He admits he fell short of what was required of him. Nathan speaks of punishment and consequence for the sinful choices but he also includes these words at the end of verse 13, "...The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die." King David endured the grim reality of sin, but repentance gifted him a restored relationship with God.
"I am so sorry. Perdoname, por favor. So sorry." The fiery eyes of the Sensi softened as I repeated these words. Spotting a broom in the corner, I made a move for it, but one of the class helpers motioned for me to stay in my spot. He walked over, swept the mat and the children returned to the karate practice. Class time was lost because of my error, but forgiveness was extended. On the way out of the door, I once again apologized for the mess created. The teacher gently played with my son's little fingers and commented how fast hands make for a good karate student.
May our words be like King David's in Psalm 51.
"1 - Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
2 - Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin."
How do you respond when the necklace breaks and beads bounce away from you?
Lean in...admit the wrong...learn from it...do better next time.
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