Does God forgive?

Sawyer came over to me in the kitchen from the laundry room, where he had been cleaning the litter box. He looked up at me with these deep, inquisitive eyes. He asked me,

"Does God forgive?"

I replied, "Yes."

He reached his right arm up, pinky extended, beckoning a pinky promise from me. As we "swore" I added, "If you ask." He frowned. Joined pinkies again, made a fist with his left hand, and moved it through our promise. This symbolized a broken pinky promise. He was miffed.

I went on to explain my addition. I explained God does forgive, in general, but when we make a mistake we need to acknowledge it and ask for forgiveness. He accepted that explanation.

He started to walk away, looked back, and nervously asked me, "Do we have to say it out loud or can it be in our heads?" I told him that in his head was just fine as it was something between him and God. He walked away a mixture of sad and hopeful and proceeded to finish the chore he started.

Life lessons. Teachable moments. A tender heart. God is big and able.