He cleanses us from all unrighteousness!

“Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, LORD, are good.” (Psalms 25:7 NIV)

When I was a kid I remember my dad saying “too soon old, too late smart.” I didn't know what he meant way back then, but I think I do now. Time gives you lots of perspective!

 I got my mouth washed out with soap!

Dad used to have a group of men over to the house once in a while to play cards and I would listen to their conversations as I played under the kitchen table. I heard one of them tell a joke and they all burst into loud laughter. I didn't understand the meaning of the joke but remembered how to tell it. The next day at school, (1st grade), the teacher, Mrs. Latrell, had a show-and-tell time. She said we could share anything, even a funny story or a joke. I got up in front of the class and gleefully told the joke. As soon as I said the punchline the teacher screeched and immediately rushed me to the sink and washed my mouth out with soap. The funny thing is that I really didn't have a clue what it was that I had said wrong! It was only years later that I had remembered the incident, and the joke, and knew exactly why she had washed my mouth out.

I do cringe when I remember some of the mistakes of my youth!

There were so many of them! In retrospect I can't believe I was so clueless! But, I was! Of course, lots of water has since gone under the proverbial bridge, and much learning and maturity has made me into a different person.

I'm sure glad that God has promised to forgive and forget our past!

“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 NASB)

And, that's a very comforting promise indeed!