Let there be light

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The other day, I heard my boy, Daniel tell his sister, "Oh, Naomi, you can tell grandpa the truth. He does not get angry, like parents do". 

One of my biggest fears is people closest to me lying about things. And, it was sort of unnerving to hear that my six year old didn't feel comfortable telling the truth because he didn't like the consequences. 

It seemed like it was time to do things differently. So, I tried not to over-react at what they told me, and keep a calm disposition. I also told Daniel that he could tell me anything and I would try my best, not to get mad.

So, the kids took it to the next level. I heard statements like -

 "Mommy, we painted our faces with permanent marker, but we are telling you the truth. I hope you are not angry".

"We painted the wall. It looks really nice." 

"We just tore up the homework folder." 

"We gave Henry crayons to eat."

"I just flooded the bathroom. Oops."

"Mommy, you might not want to go to the closet, right now. We emptied it."

"If we dig fast enough, I think we can have a hole in the middle of the backyard. A big one, yeah!"


It's clear that this parenting thing is way more complicated than I thought it would be. Now, as they are kids, I can look back and laugh at their antics because this is how they grow. They push boundaries with naughty, silly things and learn in the process.

Also, gets me thinking that the first indication of sin is darkness. We want to hide to cover the shame. We are non-transparent in our dealings with each other because darkness seems like a safer option. We usually already know when something is wrong and we shouldn't be doing it. Constant reminders just amplify the shame.

The darkness proves the existence of sunshine. The only remedy for darkness is to bring it to light. 

And, I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them. - Isaiah 42:16

I have often thought of confessing sins to God - as a dreary, dreadful thing. But, the more I encounter darkness, the more I realize that it is only God who can carry the full weight of darkness. The more I have confessed, the less I have felt burdened. 
Light brings about repentance, and makes us treat people with honesty.

My little monkeys will be okay. I hope that they grow to understand this.

This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you - that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. - 1 John 1:5-7 

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