1 John 2:1 (New International Version)
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will
not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus
Christ, the Righteous One.
Six year old Brandon 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 kitten.
Brandon was covered with flour and getting frustrated. He
wanted this to be something very good for Mom and Dad, but it was getting 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 slipped on the eggs, getting his
pajamas white and sticky. And just then he saw Dad standing at the door.
Big crocodile tears welled up in Brandon'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 or we insult a
friend or we can't stand our job or our health goes sour. 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.
But just because we might mess up, we can't stop trying
to "make pancakes," for God or for others. Sooner or later we'll get
it right, and then they'll be glad we tried...
Dear Lord we are so thankful today that even when we mess
up You are there to pick us up and hold us I Your arms. Thank You for forgiving
us today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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