May 29, 2019

Jeana sent a picture of a sign she saw at a restaurant in Salado. The sign was printed in the format you would see in a dictionary. It said: “{calories} [noun] /pronounce/kal-uh-rees, Tiny creatures that live in your closet and sew your clothes a little big tighter every night.”

Now I understand.

The fact that my clothes are fitting tighter is not my fault. It’s not about what I eat, how much I eat, or how little I exercise. It’s those tiny creatures’ fault. I’m good with that.

This is because it’s much better to blame someone or something else rather than take responsibility. This is especially true when it comes to sin.

Sadly, finding a convenient scapegoat for our sins has been around as long as humanity has existed.

At the dawn of time, when God asks Adam and Eve what they had done, we see the very first time that someone tries to shift blame. The Bible says: “The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent tricked me, and I ate.” (Genesis 3:12-13)

God doesn’t let Adam and Eve off the hook, and God won’t accept our excuses or rationalizations for the sins we commit. But the good news in all of this is if we truly accept responsibility for our bad actions, words, and thoughts, and ask for God’s forgiveness, he does just that.

This is what John meant by saying: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8-9)

So don’t make excuses. Take responsibility for the times when you have failed to be the person God wants you to be, and know that as soon as you ask for forgiveness, you are made clean, whole, and complete. That’s how much God loves you.

Prayer: Dear Gracious Heavenly God, help me accept responsibility for the times when I am not the person you created me to be. Fill me with humility, joy, and grace. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Now that I’ve had a few moments to think this through, I agree with the definition of calories as: “Tiny creatures that live in your closet and sew your clothes a little big tighter every night.” It just makes sense.

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.

Tom Robbins