Jason, my cousin, was my partner in crime growing up in New Orleans.  He left to go to a Military High School in Harlingen, Texas,  a little town close to the Mexican border.  Jason and some friends decided one night to sneak out and check out the other side.  They entered into a Mexican town and decide to get tattoos.  You can get them cheap and underage over there.  He got a US Marine Core bulldog on his upper arm and no one seemed the wiser.  After school was over, he returned to his parent's house to live.  He was extra careful to cover his arm at all times.  No longer could he walk around the house without a shirt and all his shirts had to be long enough to hide his tattoo.  This went on for about a year.  He finally had enough.  He was tired of covering up his tracks and was ready to come clean.  So he got the courage to finally go to his parents.  He told them everything.  His parents looked at him… then laughed!  He was shocked.  His parents had known about the tattoo the whole time, his sergeant had written them about it.  It reminds me of how I have acted towards God at times.  Trying so hard to cover up my sins and finally coming clean with Him.  Only to find out that He knew the whole time and that He had already forgiven me.  Father loves and accepts us even when we don't always act perfect.  Don't lose out on the experience of complete forgiveness with God.  It's already yours, will you receive it?  He's waiting!

"In Christ we have redemption through His blood,
the forgiveness of our trespasses,
according to the riches of His grace"
Ephesians 1:7