A New Worksheet

            The beginning of school is an interesting, and sometimes difficult time for students, parents and teachers.  It is a period of trial and error where each person involved is trying to get to know the others.  Students test the waters to see how much is expected of them and how much they can get away with.  Parents are trying to learn the routines and rules of the teachers.  Teachers are trying to get to know the needs of each student and encourage open communication with parents.

            I was reminded how stressful it can be for teachers and students the other day.  The kids were working on a worksheet, answering questions about a story we read together.  One of my boys was writing a little sloppy.  Now, I am pretty picky when it comes to the quality of work I expect from my students.  I walked by, glanced at his paper and whispered, “You can do better than that.  Erase it and write it neatly.”  He smiled and started to erase it.  Before it was completely erased, with the rubber shavings still on the paper, he quickly wrote the words again.  He looked at me sheepishly.  I said, “Take your time and do it right.  Erase it completely, wipe away the easer dust and write it again.” 

            In a fit of frustration he hastily began to erase the words again, and soon the paper lay shredded by the worn-down eraser.  The worksheet was ruined.  He looked at me with fear in his eyes, expecting me to be angry.  Silently I turned and walked to my desk.  I picked up another copy of the sheet and handed it to him with a smile.  “Start over and take your time.  Do your best work,” I said.

            The boy looked at me stunned for a moment, and then a relief swept over his face.  Slowly, a smile appeared.  “Thank you,” he said quietly.  This time he neatly printed the words and took pride in the finished product.  He knew he didn’t deserve the clean new sheet, but he was so thankful for it.  And once he got it, he tried to change his behavior.

            As humans living on this earth we have each messed up our worksheet.  We have scribbled on it, slashed through it, and ripped it to shreds.  God in his grace and mercy, lovingly has handed us a sparkling white new sheet, thanks to Jesus Christ.  Because of our sinful nature, we are unable to keep our hearts clean and perfectly holy.  Thankfully, God sent Jesus to live a sinless life and die in our place, paying the penalty for our sin.  He hands us this free gift.  It’s ours if we only believe, receive it and try to change our behavior. 

The Bible includes many verses on God’s forgiveness and our fresh start.  It says:

“Come now and let us reason together,” says the Lord,
“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”  (Isaiah 1:18)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus …” (Romans 8:1)

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

He not only forgives us, gives us a fresh new start, but He also forgets our sins ever happened! 

“as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12)

Now, that's one thing I can’t promise my students!  What a wonderful Father we have!