Just Punishment

I remember the time when my BB gun went off and accidently broke the new window on my grandfather’s house. I never noticed the hole right away, it was a small hole. I never thought too much about it until later, when my father noticed the windows, that his father put in to replace the wooden shutters that kept out the winter cold and all the light, had a small hole in the top left hand corner. When the error of my ways was pointed out to me, the chastisement was not one of anger, but rather sorrow and commiseration. That is not to say that I felt no guilt. I did. That is not to say there was no anger. There was. There was also a deep sense of love that let me know I was still cared for. I don’t think we ever told my grandfather.

This story surfaced in my memory today as I was thinking about God’s promise that our chastisement will be just. Even then God will not abandon us nor leave us trembling in doubt. We will be rescued in our times of distress.

God, in holding us accountable, you teach us to respect ourselves and community. Thank you for this important lesson. Amen. — RDL