I’d like to share this little story that has a deep and comforting message about mercy.
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]here was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with 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. Impulsively, 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 woodpile, 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 quickly said, “I’m sorry but I need Sally to help make supper.” Sally just smiled and responded,” 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 went to Grandma and confessed that he had killed her pet duck. Grandma knelt, 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.”
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Because of our frail human nature, we all have “dead ducks in the woodpile”. These are actions we have taken or not taken and words we have said or not said. Whatever is in our past, whatever we have done, we need to remember that God was standing at the window and He saw the whole thing. He has seen our whole life, yes, even the darkest moments that cause us shame. God, our Heavenly Father, wants us to know that He loves us and that we are forgiven. He’s been wondering how long we will allow the Evil One to make slaves out of us—slaves to lying, fear, hatred, anger, bitterness.
God wants us to ask for forgiveness. But, He not only forgives He also forgets. I think that this is Divine Mercy; and, His Divine Mercy sets us free from the clutches of emotional slavery. If God Almighty can forgive us, then who are we not to forgive ourselves? We need to let go of memories of past failures and sins and remember that God’s grace and mercy are the source of our salvation.
I urge you to share this message with others so that you can unlock their shackles. Let’s not forget that God is lovingly at the window!