Mother had been shopping, and when she returned she left the laden basket on the table, while she went to take off her hat. Her little girl was playing in the room, and as she passed the basket, she noticed a paper bag, looking like a bag of candy on the top. Without pausing to think if she was doing wrong, she opened the bag, and saw inside some very nice coconut candy. Quick as thought she popped a piece in her mouth, and just at that moment a step was heard, and her elder sister came in,
“What are you eating?” she asked.
“Only a piece of apple,” said the little girl. She had just been eating an apple, and she thought she would not be questioned further.
“Are you sure?” asked her sister. The bag was still wide open, and she guessed what had happened.
“Yes,” said the child, feeling very uncomfortable, but determined not to give herself away.
“Open your mouth, then,” said her sister. When she did so, there, telling the tale plainly, as if it could speak, was a small piece of coconut.
O, how guilty she felt! She realized the truth of the verse,
“Be sure your sin will find you out.” She had been found out, and her lies were all exposed.
Her father drew her to him, and told her that God had seen her all the time, and even if it had not been found out, she had sinned against Him, and it was grievous in His sight.
He explained to her that it was Satan who had first tempted her, as he did Eve, to look, then to take what did not belong to her, and lastly to cover up her evil action with a lie.
However, he did not stop there, for he told her, too, of the precious Saviour so ready to forgive all who confess their sins to Him.
ML 08/15/1943