REPENTANCE
SKU 045

In teaching me about wanting stuff, and about giving and receiving, my mom would have me hold out a closed fist, clenched tight, and then ask me, "Now how much can you grab or pick up with that hand?" Obviously, none, not until the fist was opened and whatever held in it dropped. Then, and only then, could you pick up some new treasure.

Repentance works kinda like that. When something wrong is done - sin - and you are in a place of conviction but haven't yet set it right, you are holding that sin clenched in your fist. Unforgiveness messes with your mind, and only gets worse the longer you hang onto it. If you are very convicted, it is most likely burning a hole in your palm, like a burning coal. Until you pry open the fingers (acknowledge the sin), and turn the hand over (ask for forgiveness), and drop that thing, nothing new can be taken up clean.

Repentance is also the putting of that same hand which committed sin back to work to right the wrong. "Sorry" doesn't count if it's empty, if you do nothing with it. Repentance is the acknowledgement of the sin, the asking forgiveness of that sin, and then the doing something to make up for or atone for what you did or said that was wrong.

With true repentance - a heart opened up and pride put down, the air cleared and heart cleaned, with that comes new treasure - forgiveness and a new start - yours for the taking. Repentance works!