MAY 12, 1 John 1:9

“Where did I leave my watch?” wondered Bee, when she couldn’t find it one day. “I thought I put it right here on the table. Maybe it’s in my room.” She went and searched her room without success.

A week later, Bee’s brother came into the house and handed her the watch. “You did it again,” Alan scolded. “You didn’t take care of your watch. I found it near the toy box, and it has stopped working again.” “I hunted all over for it,” she said. “I don’t remember taking it off near the toy box.” She looked at the watch. “Maybe Dad can fix it again.”

Dad checked the watch. “It probably needs a good cleaning,” he said. “We had better take it to the jeweller but you’ll have to pay for it yourself.”

“Okay. Can we take it to him right now?” Bee asked hopefully, and Dad agreed. The jeweller listened as Bee explained the problem. “There’s probably a lot of dirt in here, but we’ll take care of it,” he said. “We’ll have it ready for you in about a week.” He gave Bee a receipt, and she and Dad headed home.

“So… did you get your watch fixed?” asked Alan as they sat down to have dinner that evening. “The jeweller will get it done,” Bee replied. She turned to her father. “Hey, Dad!” she added with a twinkle in her eye. “Remember those lessons you taught us using my watch for illustrations? Like how it has an important part that can’t be seen, just like our souls are important and can’t be seen? And how I should keep my watch dry so it doesn’t get rusty, and that we shouldn’t get rusty spiritually, either?”

“Sure, I remember,” said Dad. “Why?”

“I thought of a new lesson myself,” Bee said with a smile. “When my watch got dirty, we took it to the jeweller to be cleaned, so when we do something wrong, it’s important that we go to the Lord and ask Him to clean us up.” Dad smiled. “Great thinking,” he said. He reached over and gave her a hug. “That watch sure has taught us a lot, hasn’t it? How about we all go out for ice cream after we have dinner, as a reward for everything we’ve learned? My treat.”

Bee grinned and Alan answered. “Yes!” he exclaimed. “Good job, Bee, but I still think you ought to be more careful with your watch.”

“I know,” Bee replied, “and I will be. I really will!”

Thought: Do you confess and admit you are wrong when you are indeed wrong?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, every time I fall into sin, help me repent and seek Your forgiveness. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.