A Sparkling Confession

A Sparkling Confession

Rachel Olsen

I secretly picked up the ring from the display and slipped it onto my young finger. I then clasped my hands behind my back as my mom and I exited the store.

Once in the car, I admired my new ring.

On some level, I knew it was wrong because I hadn’t asked Mom if I could have it. But the store I had taken it from was owned by my parents. Didn’t that also make it mine? Apparently, age five is not too young to rationalize.

It’s also not too young to learn about integrity. I’ve often heard it said that integrity is what you do when no one is watching. When no one was watching, I stole a ring.

My mom noticed my preoccupation with the ring and asked where I’d gotten it. I told her a friend had given it to me. She knew better. She told me that if I refused to tell the truth she, and others, wouldn’t be able to trust me. And she told me that if I didn’t confess and correct my mistakes when I realized them, I’d feel awful with guilt. She gently warned me that ignoring that guilt would eventually harden my heart.

I asked my mom to turn the car around; I needed to go back to the store. She didn’t let me quietly put the ring back. She instructed me to tell the lady working the register what I’d done, and to apologize.

I was torn. Part of me wanted to come clean. But part of me didn’t want this lady to think less of me for stealing. I loved visiting our store—all the employees treated me so well. I feared confessing would cost me their favor.

Billy Graham once said:

Integrity is the glue that holds our way of life together. We must constantly strive to keep our integrity intact. When wealth is lost, nothing is lost. When health is lost, something is lost. When character is lost, all is lost.

The Bible says it this way: “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity” (Proverbs 11:3).

I nervously set the ring on the counter and told the clerk I’d taken it. She furrowed her brow and told me that was wrong, and instructed me never to do it again. Then she smiled, picked me up, and told me that stolen things lose their sparkle, but that an honest girl never would. My five-year-old heart wanted to be the kind of girl that sparkles. (And my grown-up heart hasn’t changed much.)

If your heart wants you to be the kind of woman who sparkles, decide today to do the right thing. Tell the truth. Flee from temptation. Ask forgiveness. Although it may be hard—it may even seem costly—integrity will guide us safely. Jesus said it also enables us to see God (Matthew 5:8). And it will ultimately help us to shine with integrity.

Dear Lord, I want my life to be bright with integrity. I want a pure heart that pleases You. Forgive my sins and help me walk in a manner worthy of You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

REMEMBER

Integrity is like glue that holds our way of life and our relationships together.

REFLECT

For what recent wrong do you need to confess, apologize, or make amends?

RESPOND

Journal your confession and your decision about how to respond to the person you’ve wronged. Make amends where you can today.

POWER VERSES

Proverbs 20:7, 11; Proverbs 12:22