The God Who Sees It All

There is a story of a little boy who, while visiting his grandparents, was given his first slingshot. He practised in the woods, but he could never seem to hit his target. As he came back to Grandma’s back yard, he spotted her pet duck. On an impulse he took aim, let fly, and the duck fell dead. The boy was shocked and panicked. Desperately he hid the dead duck in the wood pile, only to look up and see his sister quietly watching. Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing.

After lunch that day, Grandma said, “Sally, let’s wash the dishes.” But Sally said, “Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen today. Didn’t you Johnny?” And she whispered to him, “Remember the duck!” So, Johnny did the dishes. Later, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing. Grandma said, “I’m sorry, but I need Sally to help me make supper.” Sally smiled and said, “That’s all taken care of. Johnny wants to do it.” Again, she whispered, “Remember the duck.” Johnny stayed while Sally went fishing.

After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally’s, he finally couldn’t stand it any longer. He confessed to Grandma that he’d killed her favourite duck. “I know, Johnny,” she said, giving him a hug. “I was standing at the window and saw the whole thing. Because I love you, I forgave you. But I wondered how long you would let Sally make a slave of you.”

This story carries a powerful message to us today. We have all been like Johnny and done things that were wrong. Some of us have done terrible things. We try and hide them (our ducks), cover them up, maybe with good deeds, but deep inside we carry the memory of our actions and their consequences. Sally is a good example of  how the devil works. He is the one repeatedly reminding us of our mistakes and making us his slave.

God is like that grandma who had seen it all. He does not condemn us, but loves us completely. He forgives everyone who comes to Him in repentance and faith. He won’t intervene, as the choice is ours as to whether we remain a slave to sin and the devil, or come to Him and receive forgiveness, restoration and love. What choice will you make today?