When God Calls The Heart: Devotions From Hope ValleyExemplo

From Guilt to Grace

“The light of love restores every lost voice.” –Elizabeth Thatcher

Molly Sullivan’s daughter, Rosaleen, had always been a happy child, but when her father died in the mine disaster, a light in her went out. The day he died, she entered a world of silence, almost as if her voice had died that day too. 

Molly turned to Elizabeth Thatcher, hoping the town’s new teacher would have some answers. Elizabeth spent extra time with Rosaleen, trying to draw her out, but nothing worked. And then, when the child went missing, everyone was frantic. A desperate search ensued with the townspeople look­ing everywhere. Elizabeth headed to the schoolhouse to see if Rosaleen had taken refuge there. She hadn’t. 

But then came a crystal clear moment for Elizabeth: She stopped to pray, asking God for guidance in finding Rosaleen. The answer to that prayer came when Elizabeth spotted a draw­ing the little girl had drawn of herself at the mine entrance holding a lunch pail for her father. 

Elizabeth headed there quickly and made her way into the treacherous mine, calling out Rosaleen’s name. And then she heard the faint sound of a child weeping. In the darkness of the mine—the place where Rosaleen’s personal darkness had begun—she spilled her story. On the day of the disaster, she had chosen to play with her friend instead of taking lunch to her father. And then she heard the mountain caving in. The guilt and worry about what her mother would say when she found out Rosaleen hadn’t delivered her daddy’s lunch pail had overwhelmed the little girl into silence. 

Guilt is powerful, isn’t it? It can take root in our hearts and souls, growing with a force that overwhelms us. It’s a thief that steals our joy, ruins our relationships, and comes between us and God. 

The answer to Rosaleen finding her voice again began with a confession of her mistake—huge in her own mind—when she finally broke down and shared her burden, expecting shame and punishment. 

But instead she received love. 

Love from the teacher who cared about her deeply. Love from the mother who welcomed her back, who understood she had made an innocent mistake. And limitless love from a God who always has compassion and mercy on His children. 

What guilt are you struggling with today? Has that turned your world dark and lonely? This would be the perfect time to pray and take that burden to the One with limitless grace and forgiveness. You’ll discover the light of God’s love is waiting there for you.