Thursday, July 22, 2010

Was My Face RED !!

My mother did not wear make up and I think I may have figured out one of the reasons why!

One Sunday morning, to keep me occupied while we were in church, Mother let me look through her purse. First, there was a small mirror that kept me busy for a few minutes. Wait, what was this? I discovered a pretty little box with something blushing red in it, and a tiny powder puff. Using the mirror, I began to apply the red stuff to my cheeks.

The congregation had been asked to stand, while they sang all the verses to one of the hymns. This gave me adequate time to complete my make-up job!

As if my cheeks were not enough, some of the pretty powdered rouge found its way to my chin. Almost effortlessly, it seemed to glide right up to my forehead until my entire countenance was a fabulous rosy-red.

When the song was finished and mother sat back down, she was unpleasantly surprised to find that I had started an extreme make-over in church.

The back row giggled!

Mother quietly excused herself. She firmly escorted me to the bathroom where some soap-and-water was applied, along with some vigorous scrubbing! Soon, I was back to my old, pale self.

How many of us have ever done something in innocence, only to later discover that we were an embarrassment to others - - - and possibly to ourselves?

Isn’t it a wonder how God forgives our silliness, and gives us Grace to wash away that foolishness? That Grace deals with shame and humiliation, and cleans us up (restores us) so we can present a happy face to our world.

God is so kind! He may even snicker at some of our childish escapades. For me, at least, there were not any far-reaching consequences; my mother knew what to do, and I allowed her to help me out of my situation, without fussing.

If we are willing to keep a flexible attitude, and are constantly ready to clean-up and start over, it makes the lessons easier. A teachable spirit is what God desires of us. The Bible also calls it repentance: stopping and turning, and going in the other direction.

So, if you find yourself with a “red face,” from time to time, be willing to be escorted to The Fountain! Without fail, the flow will wash you and make you presentable again.

Psalms 51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=eqDCCOtTYsQ&feature=related

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