Looks so right...but oh, so wrong!

This past Summer, some good friends of ours hosted a BBQ at their home. The host and hostess, incredibly friendly people, invited a lot of guests. Men and women mingled about, while the yard crawled with kids. In an effort to ease the restroom traffic indoors, our friends rented a porta-potty for outdoors. I have made it my personal mission in life to avoid porta-potties. They’re just...disgusting.
   Soon enough, my five-year-old daughter had to go potty. I assessed the situation. The party had just started, so I didn't think anyone else had been in there. It looked fairly newish. No strong odors lurking about. And I knew my friend would only rent the best.
   Resigned, I took Faith’s hand, and we entered the structure. So far, so good. All was well. Just as we were about to make our exit, and be home free, Faith grabbed a round disk and proceeded to wash her hands. Did I mention the round disk was in the urinal? Screaming, I snatched my girl, and we rushed outside to find some hand sanitizer.

   What was that? It appeared to be a bar of soap, but why was it in the urinal? Alarmed, I marched over to where my husband was enjoying his hamburger with a group of his buddies. Their mouths dropped open as I asked why a bar of soap would be in the urinal. The mouths dropped further when they heard Faith washed her hands with it. Suddenly, I met a collective burst of chortling and guffawing, that resonated throughout the yard. How was I supposed to know what a urinal puck was? I’m not a dude. And I don’t go in porta-potties. It looked so right.. but was just so terribly wrong.
   Have you ever been in a situation that seemed right.. but was terribly wrong? Maybe it was a little lie, needed to obtain something you wanted. Or a flirtatious look towards someone taken. Maybe it was a loss of temper, that should have been restrained. Or succumbing to something, that you know is an addiction.
   In the Old Testament, David found himself in a situation that seemed right.. but was terribly wrong. We know David as a war hero, the victor over Goliath, a handsome and strong man. He was also a man who loved God. In fact, he was known as a man after God's own heart. Could you imagine if God nicknamed you that? Yet, there he was, creeping on the married Bathsheba while she bathed in the courtyard.
   Right then, David had a choice. He could flee...or he could fall. David assessed the situation, and chose to fall. David fell deeper and deeper into sin - he committed adultery, impregnated Bathsheba, killed her husband and deceived all who loved him.
   David was caught. And punished. His son died. God promised that murder would be a constant threat in his rebellious family, and someone else would sleep with his wives. So many people were hurt in the wake of David’s selfish decision. Yet, the One who hurt the most, was the One who loved him the most.
   What if David had played out that scene.. in his mind? Before he fell. He would see the pain, agony, and death. Bathsheba might not have been looking so good.
   God has made a promise to us. “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” (I Cor. 10:13) It’s a promise. God doesn't break those.
   Is there a happy ending? Yes! God restored David, the broken man. Psalm 51 is David’s song to the Lord; his plea for mercy, forgiveness and cleansing. God blessed David and Bathsheba with a son named Solomon, also called Jedidiah. The meaning of this name is “Loved by the Lord”. David did not continue to dwell on his sin. Nor should we. When we return to God, accept his forgiveness, and change our ways, he gives us a fresh start.
   The best part? God did not take David’s nickname.. he was still a man after God's own heart. And suffice it to say, Faith and I will not be visiting any more porta potties in the near future!
   Happy endings for all.
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CrossRiver's Libby Samples is the author of 'Why We Run,' a children’s book (scheduled for release in late 2013) that teaches the importance of praying with perseverance. She is the race director of the 12:1 Run; a 5K, 10K, and half marathon which raises money to provide clean drinking water all over the world. Libby’s recent trip to Africa delivering water units inspired 'Why We Run.' Libby has also written for Focus on the Family’s 'Clubhouse Jr' magazine. She is a pediatric nurse. Married to her love, Jason, they have five children. You can learn more about Libby on her blog, samplesoffaith.blogspot.com.