REMEMBER THE DUCK

There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. Hewas given a slingshot to play with, out in the woods. He practicedin the woods, but he could never hit the target. Getting a little discouraged, he headed back to dinner.

As he was walking back, he saw Grandma's pet duck. Just out ofimpulse, he let 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 that day grandma said, "Sally, let's wash the dishes."

But Sally said, "Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen today, didn't you Johnny?" And then she whispered to him,"Remember, the duck?" So Johnny did the dishes.

Later Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing, andGrandma said, "I'm sorry but I need Sally to help make supper."

But Sally smiled and said, "Well, that's all right because Johnnytold me he wanted to help." And she whispered again, "Remember, theduck?" So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed.

After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's, hefinally couldn't stand it any longer. He came to Grandma andconfessed that he killed the duck. She 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.But I was just wondering how long would you let Sally make a slaveof you."

I don't know what's in your past. I don't know what one sin the enemy keeps throwing up in your face. But whatever it is, I want youto know something. Jesus Christ was standing at the window and Hesaw the whole thing. But because He loves you, He is ready toforgive you. Perhaps He's wondering how long you'll let the enemymake a slave out of you. The great thing about God is that He notonly forgives, but He forgets.