a slingshot to play with out in the woods. He practiced in the woods, but could never hit the target. Getting a little discouraged, he headed back for dinner. As he was walking back he saw Grandma’s pet duck. On an impulse, he let the slingshot fly, hit the duck square in the head and killed it. He was shocked and grieved.In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile, only to see his sister watching! Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing.
After lunch the next day Grandma said, “Sally, let’s wash the dishes.” But Sally said, “Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen. Then she whispered to him, “Remember the duck?” So Johnny did the dishes.
Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing and Grandma said, “I’m sorry but I need Sally to help me make supper.” Sally just smiled and said, “Well, that’s all right because Johnny told me he wanted to help.” She whispered again, “Remember the duck?”
After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally’s he finally couldn’t stand it any longer. He came to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck. Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug and said, “Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing, but because I love you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make a slave of you.”
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY AND EVERY DAY HEREAFTER: Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done, and whatever the devil keeps throwing in your face (lying, cheating, debt, fear, bad habits, hatred, anger, bitterness, etc.) whatever it is, you need to know that God was standing at the window and He saw the whole thing. He has seen your whole life. He wants you to know that He loves you and that you are forgiven. He’s just wondering how long you will let the devil make a slave of you. How long will the devil’s “Sally” hurl what God has forgiven in your face? Sometimes the devil comes in human form (more often than not, actually). And, I wonder how long Christians will unwittingly allow Satan to use them in this unforgiving way. When will be love as HE loves, forgive as HE forgives, and forget as HE forgets? Just musing, that’s all.
The great thing about God is that when you ask for forgiveness, He not only forgives you, but He forgets. It is by God’s grace and mercy that we are saved. WHEN HE DIED ON THE CROSS HE WAS THINKING OF YOU.
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DR. & MRS. JERRY A. JONES
For information about the caring ministry of these retired pastors:
Post Office Box 6986
Burbank, California 91510-6986
e-mail: his2u@charter.net