MAY 8, 1 John 5:11

“Look, Dad!” exclaimed Leah when Dad stopped at a traffic light on their way home one Saturday afternoon. “That sign says ‘Free car wash.”

As Dad opened his mouth to reply, a young man leaned toward the open driver’s side window. “Wash your car, Sir?” he asked eagerly. “It’s free!”

“Oh, sure… sure it is,” said Dad. He chuckled.“Free for a donation, right?”

“No! It really is free! Honest!” insisted the young man, but Dad was sure there must be a catch somewhere, so he drove on home.

Leah got out and looked at the car. “This car does need washing,” she said. “Yes, it does,” Dad agreed. “Let’s get out the hose and rags and get at it.”

When Mom saw what they were going to do, she had a suggestion. “Take the car up to the junior college up the road,” she said. “They’re giving free car washes.”

“You fell for that line, did you?” asked Dad with a smile. “There’s got to be a catch to it.”

“No, there isn’t,” Mom assured him. “I heard on the radio that several businesses have pledged money for every car the kids wash. The money goes to a charity fund for the aged. The more cars they wash, the more money the charity fund will get, but it won’t cost you a cent.”

“Really?” exclaimed Dad. “Come on, Leah. Let’s go and put those kids to work.” They quickly got into the car and hurried back to the school.

As Dad pulled into the parking lot, there were only a few people standing around. A man approached the car, and Dad rolled down his window, expecting to hear some instructions. “I’m sorry, Sir, but we’re closed,” said the man. “If you had come a little earlier, we’d have been glad to wash your car, but now it’s too late.”

“Too late! I don’t like those words!” exclaimed Leah as they drove away. “You missed a free car wash just because you wouldn’t believe it was free.”

Dad sighed. “You’re right,” he said, and then a thought struck him. “This is the way it is with God’s gift of salvation,” he told Leah. “Many people think there’s a catch to it - that they must in some way pay or work for their salvation. But God says it’s a gift - it’s free. We must accept Christ as Saviour before it’s too late.”

Thought: Do you know that eternal life is a gift?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of salvation. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.