The Parable of the Lost Key

I had an interesting morning yesterday. About 5 minutes before we had to walk out the door for church we got a phone call that the keys to the piano in the sanctuary were missing and the piano was locked. It is difficult to lead worship by playing the piano when you can't actually produce any sound. Our secretary wanted to know if I knew where they might be.

I did.

The day before I had been rehearsing for the Saturday service and noticed my kids playing with those keys. I knew in my head that I should put the keys away because they could get lost or something - but I didn't. My head hurt, and in that moment it was easier to just let my children play with something they really shouldn't be playing with than to deal with telling them no. So, what did I feel when the secretary called to see if I might know where the keys were?

Shame.

And in my shame I tried to cover up for my own bad choice with my response. I believe it went something like this: "Uh! Oh no. Helen, I saw my kids over by the piano and I think they might have been playing with the keys!! You should go look in the nursery, and I'll be there as soon as I can!"

So, I guess you could say I lied.

At least, I didn't exactly give the whole truth. What I should have said was this: "Uh! oh no. Helen, I let my kids play with those keys yesterday to keep them occupied while I rehearsed. I have to admit that I completely forgot to find them and put them away when we were done. You should start looking in the nursery - I'm so sorry!!!"

Why didn't I just say that?

I mean, letting my kids play with those keys was a bad choice, but its not like anyone would have thought less of me, right? I mean, all moms understand those moments when you just give in in order to maintain your sanity, right? Why was I so afraid to be honest?

Well, I forgot about the grace and love of Jesus in that moment. I forgot that my worth and value as a person (and as a pastor's wife) has nothing to do with how perfect or wonderful I am. . . It has everything to do with how perfect and wonderful Jesus is.

I think that when we're afraid to admit our mistakes its because we have stopped finding our identity and worth in our relationship with Jesus and we are trying to prove our value on our own.

I don't deserve any one's love really. . . but when a bunch of people who have been loved and saved by the undeserved sacrifice of Jesus get together, there should be a grace environment that forgives sins, overlooks mistakes, and offers encouragement when we probably just deserve a smack on the bum.

We did eventually find the keys. It took about 20 minutes and 6 volunteers, but we found them.

Oh, I hope that the next time I face a situation like this I am unafraid to be honest about my failures, trusting that God's grace is enough and that the people around me will extend that grace my way. . .

I also hope that you know God's grace is enough for you. . . even when you lose the church's keys, or lie about your mistakes, or try to make yourself look better than you really are.

God's grace is enough. You don't have to pretend anymore.

Here's to being honest about the good, the bad, and the ugly.