Pastor Felix sensed something troubled his daughter, but he never imagined his “little girl” was pregnant.  I’m not sure which was harder, her having to confess to her father or him having to hear the news.  Now what would they do?

The situation wasn’t new; others had faced the same situation, an unwed, pregnant daughter. What had these other fathers and pastors done?  Some sent their daughter to the village.  Others forced her to seek an illegal abortion.  Still others quickly married the “couple.”

However, as Pastor Felix prayed and thought about the different possibilities, none of the examples of other pastors appealed to him.  Even the best attempts to cover up the situation usually leaked out.  The result was further damage to the church and its members.  Other times the sheer neglect left the daughter in such despair that she committed suicide.  The attempts to “solve” the problem only created more.

Pastor Felix chose another option.  Rather than cover it up, he decided to publicly announce it during the next church service.  He withdrew his daughter from college for the semester so she could be close to home.  He wanted to make sure his daughter and baby would get the good food, rest, and other care they needed.  He didn’t force a marriage.  He extended grace to his daughter.

The result was instead of dividing the family, it strengthened it.  Instead of causing confusion and division in the church, it strengthened it.  Instead of covering the sin, they exposed it and God used hearts of repentance and confession to demonstrate His grace.

Often when I’ve sinned, I’m tempted to cover my sin or hide it.  However, this example reminds me I can only receive grace when I confess my sin and bring it to the Light.  It makes me rethink how I respond to my own sins and those of others.

 He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.                 Proverbs 28:13 (NASB)

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.                              1 John 1:9 (NASB)