...take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out.” Numbers 32:23
The house seemed to hide appropriately behind several trees. The old tire swing that dangled from a fraying rope was, like childhood innocence, long ago abandoned.
A quick rap on the door signaled Annie that her friend made it without being seen. Annie opened the door and pulled Paisley inside. “Do you have the letter?” she asked. Paisley whipped out the ruled piece of paper with her mother’s handwriting on it. “Right here! Are you sure your folks won’t be home?”
“Positive. What do you want to do after we write the excuse?” Paisley shrugged. “We’ll think of something.”
A whisper of deception hides behind every temptation.
The two young teenage girls set to work in Annie’s upstairs bedroom forging an excuse for Paisley to get back in class the following day. Annie was a grade ahead of Paisley so she didn’t need an excuse. After almost two hours of tracing her mother’s handwriting, they grinned at the finished note. “My mother wouldn’t be able to tell the difference!” Paisley boasted. Girl, what are you doing? She sighed softly. “I feel guilty.”
“Why? We’re not hurting anybody.” “Yeah, but…” Paisley said, twisting her lips from side to side. “Nobody’s going to find out.” Paisley nodded, but that gnawing feeling tied her stomach in knots.
That evening, Paisley’s mother asked, “How was school today?” “Same-o, same-o,” Paisley replied , avoiding her mother’s eyes.
The next day, Paisley handed in her excuse at the office before dashing to home room. Within five minutes, the principal’s round face filled the window in the door. He opened the door, stepped into the room, and crooked his finger at Paisley. An instant hush blanketed the room. Every eye riveted toward Paisley. Her legs felt like wood as she struggled to stand and follow the principal out of the room.
Be sure your sin will find you out.
He flipped the note on his steel desk. “Did you write this note?” he demanded. “No, Sir,” she mumbled. He stood with eyes glaring and veins popping. “Did. You. Write. This note?” He growled. “Yes,” she admitted. He gave a triumphant nod and sat down again. “Your mother came up with an excellent punishment.” Paisley jerked her head up and locked eyes with the fearsome man. “That’s right. Your mother. You see, your mother had notified school at the beginning of the year that if you or your brother were not in school, she was to be notified immediately at her work.” He seemed delighted to add, “She knew yesterday before the second bell rang.”
Paisley’s shoulders slumped and she stared at the floor.
“You are to write a 500 word theme on honesty due tomorrow before home room. That’s all. You’re dismissed.”
That evening, Paisley’s mother asked, “Any homework tonight, Sweetie?” Paisley avoided her mother’s eyes. “A little,” she said, wishing she could become invisible. Her mother was silent, but Paisley could feel her I-knew-it-all-along gaze that pierced her heart deeper than the confrontation she had in the principal’s office.
I wrote on George Washing cutting down the cherry tree and turned it in before home room the next day. Lesson learned – your sin will find you out!