When I was about 9 or 10 years old, I remember finding a cigarette outside with my friend. We thought it would be cool to try smoking it, and so while my parents were out for a while, we did just that in my room. I coughed, gagged, and hated the taste it left in my mouth. But that was nothing compared to the guilt I felt for doing something I knew my parents would disapprove of... I had to make sure they didn't find out. So I took the butt of the cigarette and flushed it down the toilet. Not long afterward, I sensed my parents were acting a little funny. I became nervous. I hadn't admitted what I'd done, but thought that maybe I was giving some sort of guilt signal. My father said he wanted to talk to me. I knew I was caught, but couldn't understand how they knew. While I dreaded what was coming, I was already beginning to feel some relief because I hated carrying the secret of what I'd done. It was a burden too much to bear. Dad sat me down and asked outright, "Have you been smoking, Son?" Amazing! I hadn't said a word about it and he'd figured it out! "Huh?" I asked, stalling for something smart to say. "Have you been smoking?" I caved. "Yes." I told him everything. Then I asked, "How did you know?" He said, "We could smell it the minute we walked in the door." Ha! That's how they did it! It hadn't even occurred to me...
That day I learned something. I had expected to be grounded for life, but instead had a great lecture given to me. I received grace. And with that came huge relief. I could start clean again. I didn't even like smoking anyway. I am sorry for those who live lives of deceit and evasion. Life is too short to live it looking over your shoulder all the time. If you seek life with God, you will enjoy the pastures described in this Psalm. Live simply and enjoy God's pleasures. It will lead to a better life.
Readings: Leviticus 6:1-7:27; Mark 3:7-30; Psalm 37:1-11; Proverbs 10:3-4
