D a i s y B o x

When I was a little girl, the breakfast following Easter sunrise service was better than any Easter basket. The congregation would gather in the basement for a scrambled eggs and ham breakfast. The tables were decorated, everyone was happy dressed in new spring colors and we all sat on matching folding chairs. I loved the decorations. I remember looking at a tiny chicken table decoration. It was a sweet little bird, bright yellow, very fuzzy and about 1 inch tall. .10 cents written in black ink on its orange stick foot. I picked up the bird and started playing with it. Knowing me, I probably sang or talked to it. Then, it was time to go home…I didn’t want to leave my new bird friend behind, so, I put it in the palm of my hand and took it home with me. Yup, I stole the bird. The moment I exited the church door I felt guilty about taking that .10 chick. In Sunday school. I would drop a dime in the offering plate. I hoped that my dime would pay for the chick and I would be guilt free! Nope, I still felt guilty. I even tried two nickels. No luck. When I was a little older, I tried quarters, that didn’t work either. I visited a different church and put more money in the plate…that didn’t work either. I wasn’t really obsessed with this guilt…but there were a few reminders; Sundays, and Holidays or, when I saw little yellow birds, (yellow birds are everywhere by the way). Anyway I was in church, I wish I remember the preacher’s exact words, but this hit me for the first time. Christ died on the cross to take away my sins…nothing I can do will take away the guilt. Giving all those dimes and quarters were meaningless.
1 John 1:9 (NIV)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.