Six-year-old Dan decided one Saturday morning to fix his parents pancakes.
He found a big bowl and spoon, pulled a chair to the counter, opened the cupboard and pulled out the heavy flour canister, spilling it on the floor.
He scooped some of the flour into the bowl with his hands, mixed in most of a cup of milk and added some sugar, leaving a floury trail on the floor, which by now had a few tracks left by his pet kitten.
Dan was covered with flour and getting frustrated. He wanted this to be something very nice for Mom and Dad, but it was turning out very bad.
He didn't know what to do next, whether to put it all into the oven or on the stove, and he didn't know how the stove worked! Suddenly, he saw his kitten licking from the bowl of mix and reached to push her away, knocking the egg carton to the floor. Frantically, he tried to clean up this monumental mess; but he slipped on the eggs, getting his pajamas white and sticky!
Just then he saw Dad standing at the door. Big crocodile tears welled up in Dan's eyes. All he'd wanted to do was something good, but he'd made a terrible mess. He was sure a scolding was coming, maybe even a spanking. But his father just watched him.
Then, walking through the mess, he picked up his crying son, hugged him and loved him, getting his own pajamas white and sticky in the process.
That's how God deals with us.
We try to do something good in life, but it turns into a mess…our marriage gets all sticky, we insult a friend, we mess up at our job, we break a promise… we “blow it!” Sometimes, we just stand there in tears, because we can't think of anything else to do.
That's when God picks us up and loves us and forgives us, even though some of our mess gets all over Him.
Just because we might mess up, we can't stop trying for God or for others. Sooner or later, try again…we'll get it right, and then we’ll be glad we tried.
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…be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 NLT
Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13 NLT
O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help. Psalm 86:5 NLT
…if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:9 NLT
- Author Unknown
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