There is a groundhog in one of my parks. She lives on the edge of the still memorial garden. Occasionally I find her several yards from her burrow and as I approach, back she goes, popping up once more to ascertain my whereabouts.
Pups came that spring and I walked right up to two milling around their front yard. I stared at them and they stared back, curious and comfortable. They didn’t know to hide or even why they should. They were enjoying the sun and fresh air and I was just a part of their neighborhood. Oh, little ones, I smiled at the darling pair, you will learn to hide soon enough.
Once as a child I took a puff of a cigarette. The shame of the act would not leave me, I felt like a bad person. Finally one afternoon, holed up in my room, I cried out for my mother. She came upstairs and we sat on the top step in the hall. I burst out with my heavy load and she gently received it and assured me that I was forgiven.
I had probably done worse things, to tell the truth. I had been mean to friends and disobeyed my parents, but that day, that sin swelled so large in my mind that I would have no peace until I confessed it. I would have no fun with my friends, I would enjoy no bedtime story with my father, I could climb no tree high enough to feel the warm sun and sweet breeze on my shoulders until I chose to unburden them. I cannot carry my sins or those of the world, but Jesus did. When I confess, I remember who has already taken my sins and who has already made me free.
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16
Meeting God at the Park 