Unclean Lips

“You have something on your face right. . .there,” I pointed at my face in the approximate position my girl needed to wipe her face.

“No I don’t,” she shook her head and stamped her foot.

Anger flashed in my eyes and my heart clenched. I took a quick breath.

“Father help me,” I whispered. Then I asked her to come to me.

I cupped my hand around her ear and whispered angry, “When you say no to me, you are calling me a liar. I do not lie.”

James 3:2 flitted through my mind. “We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says he is a perfect man able to keep his whole body in check.”

Suddenly I felt like I needed to wipe my mouth, but napkins, wipes, or wash cloths could not get it clean. I am at fault in what I say, often. I am a woman of unclean lips. The good news is I have a God who forgives me.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

God not only forgives this woman of unclean lips, but he also purifies me. Every year I am more and more convinced of how desperately I need God and apart from Him I can do nothing good.

So I asked God to forgive me and my unclean lips. He not only forgave me, but he wiped my filthy lips clean.

Later I talked to my girl and asked her to forgive me for my angry words.

She did.