For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. (Ps. 51:3)
A hoverboard is a toy I never thought would make its way into my household. Nevertheless, we now have two. My girls have become hoverboard pros, but when they were first powered up, the toys caused a bit of destruction—a broken toe, a few bruised shins, and even a nice big ding in my pantry door. My husband and I made an intentional choice to leave the blemish for now, and we also established a very simple rule for the hoverboards: “Ask first.” I’m sure there will come a day when we replace the door, but for now, the dent serves as a reminder to our girls that our choices have an impact, both literally and figuratively.
This was also true for King David. Just like the ding in my pantry door did not magically disappear when my daughter asked for forgiveness, neither do the residual consequence of our sins. When my girls see the hole in the door, it does not represent a punishment, but it instead represents our desire for them to check with us before making risky choices.
We can move through life making risky choices and forgetting to consult the Master Planner, or we can check with him first to see whether the coast is clear. Is there a choice you are contemplating? I’ve discovered that my best choices are made when I “Ask first.”
Don’t forget to consult the Master Planner each and every day.
Holly Atkinson is a Wesleyan pastor’s wife, mother of two girls, student at Wesley Seminary, and an assistant principal at a private school in Florida.
© 2021 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
