I remember it so well. It was one morning many years ago when I was a very little child. I had been disobedient at breakfast time, and my father had said to me gravely and sadly, “Carrie, you must get off your chair and go and stand outside the door for five minutes.”
I got down, choked back the sob that rose in my throat, and without venturing to look into my father’s face, I went outside the door and it was shut against me.
The moments seemed very long and silent. I remember well how my tears dropped down on the rug; I was so grieved and ashamed.
The five minutes were not nearly over, but the handle of the door was partly turned and Johnnie’s curly head peeped out. Both his arms were around my neck in a minute, and he said, “Carrie, go in, I’ll be naughty instead of you,” and before I had time to say a word, he had pushed me in and shut the door.
There I stood with my eyes on the ground and feeling so red and uncomfortable, not knowing whether I might go up to the table, but my father took me by the hand and led me to the table. He kissed me and put me on my chair, and I knew I was forgiven just as much as if I had borne all the punishment, but oh! how I wished that Johnnie might come in.
When the five minutes were up he was called in, and then our father took us both—me, the poor, little, naughty child, and Johnnie, the loving brother—and folded us both in his arms, and I sobbed it all out—the repentance and love and gratefulness—while we were held close to that loving heart.
And now that I look back to that little scene, it seems a very typical one. For the years went by, and I found myself outside another door, separated from the Father, sin having come between my soul and God. I saw One who loved me come and take my place and put me into His place of nearness, and I was forgiven for Christ’s sake. I knew the fullness and freeness of that forgiveness, for our Father drew me close to His divine heart of love, and there with the Lord Jesus, my sin-bearer, I found “joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8).
“Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15).
WHY DELAY?