A Diary Entry in Grace
But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Romans 5:15
A good friend of mine gave my daughter her first diary this past Christmas. She was so excited to have the diary that she spent the whole day writing in it. That evening when I was getting her in bed, she wanted to share with me what she wrote. (She is only 6, so she doesn’t have the diary concept completely down yet.) I wasn’t too far into reading when she started saying, “no, no, no, mommy.” Then the panic of no’s went to “I’m sorry.”
I read words something like this: “I got a 98 on my spelling test because I looked at my practice paper.”
I am guessing she was somewhat convicted about cheating on her spelling test and writing it out helped elevate some of that guilt. I was particularly bothered by this because I don’t want her to think she can cheat and get away with it. Also, since I am the teacher, she cheated with me sitting with her and I didn’t even notice it.
I wasn’t sure how to handle the situation. It was the Friday before Christmas so we were officially on a break from school for two weeks. I certainly didn’t want to let it go but I didn’t want to over punish the crime either. After discussing it with my husband, we decided to offer her grace this time.
Obviously we sat her down and explained that cheating was unacceptable. Earlier that week, she said she had asked Jesus into her heart. So, we explained how a person that receives Salvation by grace will begin to manifest the fruits of the spirit in their lives and will walk in freedom from the bondage of sin. We further explained that her cheating not only upsets mom and dad, it upsets God whom she has committed her life to. We explained that God offers us grace at times as well when we sin. Sometimes we get punishment, often times there are lasting consequences of sins we commit. We used this as an opportunity to offer her grace – a second chance and share with her that grace is exactly what God offered us. We were dead in our sin but salvation in Christ has given us hope. His grace has given us new life when we deserved death.
For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. Romans 6:14
I think we drove the point home. She asked for our forgiveness and for God’s forgiveness. My prayer is for this lesson to stick close to her heart as she continues to make choices in her new walk with the Lord.
Dear father, Thank you Lord for the grace you showed us by allowing your son to atone for the sins your chosen people. Thank you that even though I deserve a punishment of death for the sins I have committed in my life, You offer freedom from them through salvation. Help me to be the example I need to be for my children and give me wisdom and guidance when I have to discipline. In Christ Jesus name, Amen.
You’ve taught your daughter a good lesson in grace. We all blow it regularly and we are greatly in need of His grace.
This one brought tears to my eyes Dana. How thankful am for grace. I think you were very wise in your decision to show this little one grace. There are times when knowing we have been given something we can never earn touches our hearts like nothing else can.
Blessings as you continue to seek His wisdom.
Grace!!! Amen, beautiful story. Thank you for sharing your little one with me. Love and hugs, Lynn
I love how you have handled the situation with your little girl. I know that I still make a lot of mistakes and I am thankful for His never ending grace.
Thank you for sharing the lesson with us 🙂
Be blessed sweetie.
Thank you so much. I so needed that. And, would you mind if I post it and link back to you of course. Right now I really need my readers to hear what you had to say. One of the teens that we minister to is going through a crisis this post would really speak to us right now. And it is so awesome that your child just received the most awesome present of all. What a blessing.
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Prov. 22:6….. That is a promise from the word of God and if we honor Him and His word and teach our children to honor His word….. the He is faithful to keep that which He has promised to us………What a wonderful promise that we can hold on to when they grow and head out into the world………
Such a wonderful life lesson she has learned and how blessed she is to have God fearing parents………..
hugs