I was teaching ten reception age children a week before half term. On the last afternoon, they had a scavenger hunt to do outside. So we went out armed with clipboard and sheets with pictures of the ten plants/ animals they needed to spot and pencils. It was a warm afternoon. When we finished they were hot, sticky and grubby so they were dutifully sent off to wash their hands on their return, then come and sit on the carpet to discuss our findings.
My teaching assistant appeared a few minutes later,” Mrs O,” she said,” I think you need to have a word with Lily….” I got up and approached the door to catch Lily as she emerged from the girls’ toilets.
As soon as I saw Lily I realised what my teacher assistant had meant. Lily’s beautiful, thick, dark, curly hair was dripping wet. I frowned and took her to one side.
“Lily, your hair is dripping wet! Can you explain to me what happened?”
Her head bowed and she looked at the floor.
She whispered,” Well, Mrs O, I could but I’d rather not.”
I could tell Lily knew she had done wrong and she was sorry. No explanation needed. I’m so glad that Jesus understands when I do wrong. He doesn’t grill us for reasons or analyse our motives. He could say ‘Don’t you realise what I did for you?’ but He doesn’t. He hears that we are sincerely sorry. Then he takes us back, again and again and again.