blowing smoke, blowing whistles

I recently heard this story about this woman who showed up in Mason (a city in the fine state of Michigan I live in), saying she was a Hurricane Katrina victim. Claiming she had lost all of her belongings, many people in the community came together and provided a free house that was completely furnished with all sorts of donated items. Included in the mix was a TV and DVD player, as well as a bicycle for her 6-year-old daughter.

Here's the catch, though... when an article about the donations ran in the local newspaper, people who knew the lady blew the whistle. Citing that she had arrived in town well before the hurricane hit, the police arrested and charged her with felony larceny under false pretenses. As a result, she now faces up to five years in prison.

Hmmm... that makes Elmo wonder...

Is there anything sinful in my past that could catch up to me?

When I was interviewing with a church a few weeks ago, a question like this came up in my final Q&A with an elder. She asked, "Is there anything from your past or present that if it were to come out would reflect badly on you or the church?" Wow... what a great question.

While I've gotten into the practice of asking myself that question on a regular basis, it made me wonder about the things that I may have missed, though. Sometimes we may not consciously make such a choice, but even unconscious actions can create ripples we're not aware of until it's too late. I suppose (and hope) this is where the grace of God comes in.

So how about it? Anything potential "whistle blowing" in your future?

Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." (Ephesians 5:11-14)