The Duck & The Devil
The Duck & the Devil
There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods. He practiced in the woods; but he 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.
Just out of 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 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?” So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed to help.
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 thereafter: Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done… and the devil keeps throwing it up 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. 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. Go ahead and make the difference in someone’s life today. Share this with a friend and always remember: God is at the window!
When Jesus died on the cross; he was thinking of you!
I learn something every day. Today, I learned the devil’s name is “Sally.”
Michael
August 9, 2007
“He came to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck.”
That little piece of confession is so critical to the rest of the story. Hopefully we won’t get as miserable as Johnny and be made such a slave as Johnny before we get around to confessing and experiencing God’s amazing grace & mercy.
Jennifer in OR
August 12, 2007
Confession and repentence is key. Like my pastor says, if you’re not sure of what the Holy Spirit is convicting you to confess, just guess. You’ll probably guess right.
Michael
August 13, 2007