Our first official blog entry… this could be a very good thing! But what to write about? Perhaps sharing lessons learned might be as edifying as anything.

It was supposed to be a fun, light hearted evening and indeed it started that way. Sharing a meal with people we had grown to love – members of our small group, we were truly enjoying the fellowship. Laughter was free and easy. All was well.

Following coffee and dessert of peppermint ice cream pie, we headed for the living room to let the games begin! An evening of competitive board games was ahead of us. Often the men formed one team and the women another, so yes the competition was high, but it had always been good natured and pure fun… until this night.

We began with an old favorite, Pictionary. None of us could remember playing the game for many years, so we were a little fuzzy on the rules. Quickly we reviewed the instructions and then playing commenced. What a hoot! Sometimes drawings that looked like absolutely nothing were quickly guessed and points were scored. Other times, more elaborate drawings were attempted, but the word went unguessed – no points were earned. Game number one ended with the women winning handily. And oh how we savored our victory!!! The women had actually BEAT the men! We hooped and hollered and rubbed it in unashamedly!

The men, of course, did not take kindly to the loss and demanded a rematch. After all, their honor was at stake! So game number two began. Back and forth the points went with the lead changing many times. Always there was a loud groan when anyone rolled the dice and the marker landed on the dreaded ALL PLAY. That meant that everyone could have a go at guessing what the picture drawn on the marker board was supposed to represent.

The score was tied. Both teams were on the final square. Whoever guessed correctly on the next drawing would win the game and victory would be theirs to savor! Anticipation was high…

It was my turn to create the drawing. No roll of the dice was required since both teams were on the final square and both would be guessing. I drew the card and my eyes went to the word at the bottom where the ALL PLAYS were listed. “Bent” was the word. How do I draw “bent?” I thought.

As I was painfully trying to formulate a plan for my drawing, I heard someone call out, “Just pick any word on the card. That’s what Vern does! And he’s a pastor!” Before I even knew what was happening my eyes were darting up and down looking for a different word on the card. Yes, an easier word was what I needed, I thought. Winning, beating the men once again, was indeed on my mind.

There it was! The word “ice skating” was under the ACTION section of the card. I could draw that, I told myself! And in an instant I locked eyes with my teammates, encouraged and assured them that we could get this one, replaced the card at the back of the box, and began my drawing of an ice skate.

“Ice Skating,” my teammate called out loudly.

“Yes!” I said throwing the marker in the air as all the women broke out into a chorus of cheers.

“We won! We won!” we all said together, giving hugs and high fives!

Then it happened. One of the guys must have seen my eyes darting up and down the card. Or was it the evil glint in my eyes that gave me away? Or perhaps he knew all too well the temptation of winning at all costs and assumed others might likewise give in to the same temptations he had given in to. Who knows why, but very quietly as he listened to the women offering victory shouts, he picked up my card at the back of the box. After reading through all the words, he forcefully declared the truth for all to hear.

“She cheated! She used the ACTION word instead of the ALL PLAY word which was ‘bent.’”

An audible gasp rang out in room. “What will we do, what will we do? Will we replay it?” said one of the women, wanting to make amends quickly. But the damage had been done. A couple of the men, including my own husband, were already leaving the room, shaking their heads, and making a beeline for the food table.

I stood there for what seemed like eternity trying to understand what had happened. The rest of the women one by one abandoned me to my own thoughts and joined the men in the kitchen. What had I done? I asked myself. What had motivated me to do such a thing? I could have drawn the word “bent.” Why didn’t I? And what should I do now?

As I joined the others in the kitchen, they had already engaged in new conversations and seemed to have forgotten and forgiven my error. No, my SIN, I corrected my thoughts. Call it by its real name, I told myself, still mulling over this sudden turn of events. How could someone who is passionate about her faith, who loves God with all her being, and works diligently to help others grow in their knowledge and love for Him, have made THAT choice so easily… so quickly… and until caught, without remorse? How could I have so easily done such a thing? Guilt filled me.

As the evening went on, game playing resumed. Good spirited bantering continued between the men and the women teams. Nothing changed it seemed. And yet for me EVERYTHING had changed. I had failed. I had, in a twinkling of an eye, gone from a saint to sinner, trading all the riches, joy, and peace of doing what is right, for a fleeting moment of unearned victory. What a price to pay, I thought, as I washed the dishes after all had said their good nights and given hugs at the door.

I went to the bedroom and with heavy heart asked for forgiveness from the One who knows and sees all things. After a while, a welcome and quiet calm penetrated my heart. But there was something BIG I was to learn from this, I knew. This was no small deal. “Thank You, Father, that Your love is not based on my righteousness. Thank You for loving me unconditionally.”

As I switched off the bedroom light I was at peace knowing that tomorrow the lessons would be revealed by the Author of Light, the Spirit of Truth Himself.

Life lessons from my party night failure:

1. When we disappoint God, it is serious business. Small stuff, big stuff – no matter. Choosing to do what is right is His way and the best way. Even when the pressure is on. Even when you could lose everything.

2. Choosing to do what is right has nothing to do with the potential for getting caught. It’s not about that. It’s really not even about oneself. It’s about pleasing God and honoring Him with our actions. Just as I experience heartache when I see my own precious daughters make unwise choices, I know that You, Abba Father, experience that same heartache when I make poor choices, only Your ache is much greater because of the immense size and purity of Your heart.

3. The smell of “victory” is alluring and intoxicating! When we make deals with the enemy and compromise our behavior by adopting the world’s motto of “slip through, slide through, anyway to get through”, there will be NO peace in our hearts. Misery will surely follow.

4. Lessons learned are meant to be shared.

What lessons have you learned lately?