Many times Lucy has held a football for Charlie Brown to placekick. Charlie has attempted in as many times to return the ball with all his might. No matter what Lucy says, it’s what she does that makes no difference, though Charlie believes in her.

One time a strip opened with Lucy holding the ball, but Charlie Brown would not kick the ball. Lucy begged him to kick the ball. But Charlie said, “Every time I try to kick the ball you remove it and I fall on my back.”

They went back and forth for the longest time and finally Lucy broke down in tears and admitted, “Charlie Brown, I have been so terrible to you over the years, picking up the football like I have. I have played so many cruel tricks on you, but I’ve seen the error of my ways! I’ve seen the hurt look in your eyes when I’ve deceived you. I’ve been wrong, so wrong. Won’t you give a poor penitent girl another chance?”

Charlie Brown was moved by her display of grief and responded to her, “Of course, I’ll give you another chance.”

He stepped back as she held the ball, and he ran with all his might to kick the ball. You know what happened.

At the last moment, Lucy picked up the ball and Charlie Brown fell flat on his back. Lucy’s last words were, “Recognizing your faults and actually changing your ways are two different things, Charlie Brown.”

In many Bibles there is an ascription at the top of Psalm 51, the psalm for Ash Wednesday which reads: The Miserere: Prayer of Repentance — “For the leader: A psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.”

A rather somber introduction to a psalm! It refers to a sorry episode in the life of Israel’s greatest king.

Listen, in your heart to what King David wrote:

Have mercy upon me, O God, in your goodness;

In the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.

Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me.

For I acknowledge my offence, and my sin is before me always:

‘Against you only have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight.’

A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me.

Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me.

Give me back the joy of your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain in me.

O Lord, open my lips and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

David confesses his sin. He acknowledges his responsibility. He blames no one but himself.

He asks God to change his heart.

The only way to face the guilt of sin is to acknowledge it before God and ask for forgiveness. It’s a good way to start. But remember, it’s one thing to confess your sin. It’s another thing to ask God to so thoroughly change you that you never sin again.

“Recognizing your faults and actually changing your ways are two different things.”