There once was a little boy who was visiting his grandparents on their farm.
Given a slingshot, he went into the woods to play. He practised hard, but could never hit the targets.
Discouraged, he made his way back for dinner.
On the way, he saw his Grandma's pet duck.
"Why not?", he thought to himself. So on impulse, he pulled back the slingshot, let a rock swing into the air which hit the duck squarely in the head and killed it!
How grieved and shocked was he as he realised his mistake!
Panic took over him as he proceeded to bury the dead duck in a nearby wood pile. Just as he thought that was the end, to his dismay, he noticed his sister staring at him! Though she saw it all, she said nothing.
On the next day after lunch, Grandma asked for the sister's help in the kitchen.
Looking at the little boy, the sister smiled sinisterly, "I think he would like to help with the dishes instead."
While making sure that Grandma didn't see, she mouthed the word "duck".
Reluctantly, the little boy grudgingly mumbled, "Sure, I'll LOVE to do the dishes"
Later that day, Grandpa wanted to bring the kids fishing, but Grandma had other plans for the sister. "I'll need her help to prepare dinner."
The sister just smiled and once again looked at the little boy, saying, "Well, that's alright. Because he had told me earlier that he wanted to help with dinner."
Whispering into his ears, "Don't forget the duck incident.."
So in the end, the sister got to fish while the poor little boy had to stay behind.
Day after day, the blackmail kept going on. Tired of doing both his and his sister's chores, he finally confessed to his Grandma that he had killed her precious pet duck!
Upon hearing this, Grandma knelt down and gave him a hug.
"Sweetheart, I know. I was actually standing at the window when it happened and I saw the entire thing! However, because I love you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you would let your sister make a slave out of you"
Makes you think doesn't it?
Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done.. The devil keeps throwing it up in your face [lying, cheating, debt, fear, bad habits, hatred, anger, bitterness, jealousy, 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 out of you.
The Great thing about God is that when you ask for forgiveness;
He not only forgives, he forgets.
It is only by God's grace and mercy that we are saved.
When Jesus died on the cross, he was thinking of you!
Indeed, God forgives, despite me always falling back into Satan's same trap each time. I pray for strength each day as I struggle to bear a good testimony to those around me for I am weak and He is strong. The journey is long but do not give up because what matters is that we have tried our best to aim for what God wants with his strength. Dear God, please hear my cry, for at this time, I pray that you may begin the process of purification and sanctification in me. Thank you Lord. Amen.
