One family I minister to has a little four year old girl Susie (not her real name) who excitedly runs out to give me a hug during my visits. Saturday her father told me one of the young ladies I teach had given Susie a haircut!
I believe a girl asked if she wanted a haircut, and Susie said yes. But in situations like that you obviously cannot rely on the wisdom of a four year-old.
Saturday I went to the house to talk with Susie about what happened
- She didn’t run out to meet me
- She didn’t approach me when I came into the house and called her name
- Finally a sister called her. And very slowly, she crawled over to me from the couch, her head held down in shame.
Life is like that sometimes…..
Shame takes away the joy and excitement from our hearts.
I talked with Susie, and banned the girl who cut her hair from all activities for two-weeks. Then gave Susie some cookies and a soda. She was starting to feel better, but still embarrassed.
That was before I gave her my hat!
I have a collection of wide brim hats to use in the heat. One of them I no longer use (after many months of faithful service). And instead of letting it collect dust in my closet, I decided to give it to Susie as her very own.
The result was immediate
Monday morning I came by to visit her dad. Hearing my voice Susie came out, a doll baby in one hand, a sucker in the other. And HER hat on her head.
- Monday afternoon she came out for lessons wearing the hat on her head.
- Tuesday she came out with the hat, but didn’t wear it for long.
- Wednesday she didn’t wear it at all!
I couldn’t help but be reminded how the Love of God, and our relationship with Him covers our shame.
Mistakes are going to take place (like a foolish hair cut). Satan will tell us that we are defined by those mistakes, they will just keep happening. When our heavenly father calls us we don’t run to Him but come crawling out in shame.
But then He forgives us of our failures or sin and restores us as His children.
My friend you may have your head down in shame today
but you are still a child of God
So come and be restored.
Johnhwilburn.com 
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