Want to start over? It's easier than you think.

My youngest is preparing for the sacrament of reconciliation and happens to have the best faith formation teacher ever. Last night she came home with a little canvas bag filled with Bible books, a copy of the Act of Contrition, the eraser in the photo above, and a handwritten card with the message below. I think it's a message we all need to hear. Again and again.

"In reconciliation, God gives you a way to say you are sorry when you did not make a good choice. He gives you a way to make things right with His help. God erases away the wrong choice and gives you His forgiveness. Remember, in the word forgiveness is the word give. God promises to give you His forgiveness again and again and again. Even when you make a wrong choice, God still loves you. You are still perfect to God.

"Smile, God loves giving you His gifts and promises." 

Sometimes, in our weary human minds, we make the Sacrament of Reconciliation into something intimidating and ominous and scary. But, when you break it down -- and maybe even think of it on a second-grade level -- it suddenly becomes crystal clear that it's anything but scary or intimidating. It's renewing and cleansing and joyful. There's never been a time that I've walked out of confession and didn't feel more joyful than when I went in. What an awesome gift.

So, smile, as my daughter's faith formation teacher suggests, and let God wipe the slate clean.