FEBRUARY 17, Psalm 119:133

Cindy tried to slow her bike when one of the neighbourhood kids turned right in front of her, but her front wheel skidded and she toppled onto the hard gravel. After a moment of stunned fright, she stood up and inspected the damage. Her bike was okay, but her right knee was not. Small pieces of gravel had pierced her skin and were embedded in the cut. Slowly, she wheeled her bike home and parked it in the garage.

She found her mother in the kitchen. “Look at my knee, Mom,” said Cindy. “It hurts! That Jason makes me so mad! He cut right in front of me and I fell.”

“I’m sure he didn’t mean to make you fall,” said Mom as she examined Cindy’s knee. “I’m afraid we’ll have to do more than wash this. We’ll have to get all the bits of gravel out of the cut. Otherwise it may fester and the sore spot might get infected.”

Cindy was glad when Mom finished and the cut was bandaged. “Well, I’m never going to play with Jason again,” she declared. “It’s all his fault.” “Whoa!” cautioned Mom. “Be careful! Don’t let anger or bitterness fester in your heart. They’re like gravel.” “Like gravel? What do you mean?” asked Cindy.

“Sins such as bitterness and anger – even so-called little sins – are like the gravel in your cut,” Mom told her. “If we don’t do anything about our sin, it can lead to more sin… like germs lead to an infection. So when you sin, what should you do about it?”

“Ask God for forgiveness,” said Cindy promptly. “We should also ask for forgiveness from anyone who’s been hurt by our sin.” She looked thoughtful. “Last Saturday, I… ah… I said I felt sick because I didn’t feel like helping Dad wash his car,” she confessed.“I wasn’t really sick, and it’s bothered me all week.”

I’ll tell Dad I’m sorry for not helping,” said Cindy. “And first thing on Saturday morning, I’ll go help him.”

Thought: Have you checked for sin in your life that needs attention? It may be painful to examine your sin and ask for forgiveness, but if you ignore it, it will be even more painful later. Get rid of sin quickly before it causes an “infection.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, there have been times when I have been angry and bitter about people. And perhaps times when I have sinned against You, in small ways, but I know they are still sins. Heavenly Father, please forgive me and help me never to commit them again. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.