Realignment on Love: More than a decision

Thanks Pastor John Piper for this realignment with truth on love video:

Realignment in my Past – Confession, Mercy, and a New Resolve!

“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.”   ESV  Proverbs 28:13

I recently watched a photo tribute of the life of my high school cross-country and track coach.  It brought back some wonderful memories. I smiled to myself as I remembered a lesson that Coach Robertson taught me about merciful forgiveness when I owned up to my wrongdoing.

It must have been my junior or senior year during track season that Coach had entrusted to me a key to open and lock the locker room each morning under the stadium stands of the football field.  A big responsibility and one that I took seriously.  I always made sure I arrived early and the door was locked back up when I was the last one to leave.

Well, for a few mornings for several weeks, some of the guys were starting to horse around with the water filled fire extinguishers.  They would grab them and pretend to spray people.  However, one morning things got out of hand.  I joined in and grabbed one myself.  Someone actually sprayed me.  In retaliation I pulled the trigger to spray back when in walked an assistant track coach.  I was caught in the act.  He said, “Put those away!  You guys know better, I’m reporting you to Coach Robertson.”  He then left as fast as he came in.

My heart was smitten.  I had betrayed the trust of my Coach.  What should I d0?   I was guilty.  I had been foolish!  I was caught!

As I dressed for school, I resolved in my heart and mind on what to do.  I must find Coach immediately.

I walked quickly across the field to his office in the men’s locker room.  As I walked, I took the key off my key ring and rubbed it nervously.  I walked into his office and saw his serious eyes meet mine.  Holding up the key, I said in shame, “I am sorry for betraying your trust,  here is the key.”  He gave me a stern look and did not say anything for a moment that seemed like eternity.  He then asked, “Did you learn a good lesson?”   “Yes, Sir!”    He slightly smiled and said, “Keep the key!  Don’t let it happen again.”

Mercifully forgiven! I did not betray his trust again.

However, I know that I probably would not have confessed, if I had not been caught.  Getting caught in that moment of foolishness was the best thing that could have happened to me.  It caused a realignment in my mind and thinking to choose to be responsible and not foolish.

Do you have a story of a lesson you learned when you got caught?