Monday, July 05, 2004
Receiving forgiveness can be quite a miracle. It doesn't mean that there aren't consequences. Nevertheless, over time, we can see God use our mistakes and weave them into His plan. I read a story that explains it well.
Once upon a time in a far away land, lived two
young men, much like many young men you may
know today...
The two brothers were likable, but undisciplined,
with a wild streak in them. Their mischievous
behavior turned serious when they began stealing
sheep from the local farmers -- a serious crime in
this pastoral place, so long ago and far away.
In time, the thieves were caught. The local farmers
decided their fate: The two brothers would be branded
on the forehead with the letters ST for "sheep thief."
This sign they would carry with them forevermore.
One brother was so embarrassed by this branding that
he ran away; he was never heard from again.
The other brother, filled with remorse and reconciled
to his fate, chose to stay and try to make amends
to the villagers he had wronged. At first the
villagers were skeptical and would have nothing to
do with him. But this brother was determined to
make reparation for his offenses.
Whenever there was a sickness, the sheep thief came
to care for the ill with soup and a soft touch.
Whenever there was work needing to be done, the sheep
thief came to help with a lending hand. It made
no difference if the person were rich or poor, the
sheep thief was there to help. Never accepting pay
for his good deeds, he lived his life for others.
Many years later, a traveler came through the village.
Sitting at a sidewalk cafe eating lunch, the traveler
saw an old man with a strange brand on his forehead
seated nearby. The stranger noticed that all the
villagers who passed the old man stopped to share a
kind word, to pay their respects; children stopped
their play to give and receive a warm hug.
Curious, the stranger asked the cafe owner,
"What does that strange brand on the old man's
head stand for?"
"I don't know. It happened so long ago..." the
cafe owner replied. Then, pausing briefly for
a moment of reflection, he continued: "...but
I think it stands for 'saint'."
Author Willanne Ackerman
In my life, I've seen God use many a mistake to allow Christ to be formed in me and persevering allowed it to be used for the good.
Once upon a time in a far away land, lived two
young men, much like many young men you may
know today...
The two brothers were likable, but undisciplined,
with a wild streak in them. Their mischievous
behavior turned serious when they began stealing
sheep from the local farmers -- a serious crime in
this pastoral place, so long ago and far away.
In time, the thieves were caught. The local farmers
decided their fate: The two brothers would be branded
on the forehead with the letters ST for "sheep thief."
This sign they would carry with them forevermore.
One brother was so embarrassed by this branding that
he ran away; he was never heard from again.
The other brother, filled with remorse and reconciled
to his fate, chose to stay and try to make amends
to the villagers he had wronged. At first the
villagers were skeptical and would have nothing to
do with him. But this brother was determined to
make reparation for his offenses.
Whenever there was a sickness, the sheep thief came
to care for the ill with soup and a soft touch.
Whenever there was work needing to be done, the sheep
thief came to help with a lending hand. It made
no difference if the person were rich or poor, the
sheep thief was there to help. Never accepting pay
for his good deeds, he lived his life for others.
Many years later, a traveler came through the village.
Sitting at a sidewalk cafe eating lunch, the traveler
saw an old man with a strange brand on his forehead
seated nearby. The stranger noticed that all the
villagers who passed the old man stopped to share a
kind word, to pay their respects; children stopped
their play to give and receive a warm hug.
Curious, the stranger asked the cafe owner,
"What does that strange brand on the old man's
head stand for?"
"I don't know. It happened so long ago..." the
cafe owner replied. Then, pausing briefly for
a moment of reflection, he continued: "...but
I think it stands for 'saint'."
Author Willanne Ackerman
In my life, I've seen God use many a mistake to allow Christ to be formed in me and persevering allowed it to be used for the good.
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