During the summer term at the primary school I attended, each Friday, we would meet at a local swimming pool. Most of the time, those who could, would enjoy swimming, or even diving, while others like me would splash around. We were supposed to be taught how to swim, but at the time, it was somewhat challenging for me and the teacher.
After “the lesson” a few of us would walk across a derelict area to the bus stop but on our way would usually call at a bakery and buy a bread roll that we would eat on our way back to school. On one occasion, we were so engrossed in eating and chatting that we walked a different way back to school, thus arriving much later than expected. There were six of us, and we were immediately told to go to the headmaster’s room, and we stood meekly in front of him, awaiting our punishment. When he asked why we were so late, it was our “ringleader” who amazed us with his response. He informed the headmaster, “We caught the bus, but coming up the hill it had broken down and we had to wait for a replacement”. The headmaster, replied, “Well, thank you for that, but I am sure it won’t happen again”.
On reflection, we realised that we would not have waited for a replacement as there was another bus due about 10 minutes later. What we thought was a wonderful explanation was recognised by a wise headmaster, whose response proved correct because we never tried that again.
At a senior school, another teacher, when asking one pupil why his homework had not been completed continued, “And I want a reason, not an excuse.”
One of the most amazing excuses recorded in the Bible is found in Exodus 32 when in verse 24 Aaron trying to defend what he had done, said, “Then they gave me the gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!”
I believe God doesn’t want our reasons or our excuses, but our repentance.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help us not to forget that you know everything about us. Instead of trying to defend ourselves, we pray that we will respond appropriately when you reveal our mistakes to us. AMEN