JUNE 27, Romans 6:13

After his mother left, Sam patted his dog, Prince. “I didn’t really lie when I said I was sick, did I, old boy?” asked Sam. “I really am sick-sick of Brad. Last time I was there, he beat me at every game we played. He thinks he’s so good! I’m sick of him.” He grinned to himself. “Yeah, I’m sick all right! I’m just glad Mom agreed to let me stay home while she goes over there.”

Mom hadn’t been gone long when one of Sam’s friends came over. “It’s hot!” exclaimed Garth. “Let’s go for a swim.”

Sam hesitated. “Mom said to stay home and rest - she thinks I’m sick,” he said.

“Oh, come on,” coaxed Garth. “We’ll just go for a short while, and we’ll get back before she’s home.” It seemed like such a good idea that Sam soon gave in.

The boys were having a great time when suddenly, with a muffled scream, Sam disappeared under the water. “Swim, Sam! Swim!” yelled Garth when Sam reappeared. And swim Sam did! Soon he crawled from the pool - scared, and soaked.

The boys hurried home, and when he got there, Sam was dismayed to find that his mother had already returned! She demanded an explanation. “I… I wasn’t really sick sick,” admitted Sam. “I was just sick… of Brad. He… he always beats me in everything.” Mom frowned and Sam hurried on. “Garth and I meant to just play around the edge of the pool - just wade in the shallow water,” he said, “but before we knew it, we were in the deep end.”

Mom nodded. “That figures,” she said. “That’s how sin works.”

“How sin works?” asked Sam uncertainly.

Mom nodded. “That pool is shallow at one end, but deep at the other.” she said. “Sin may seem ‘shallow’ at first, too. It doesn’t start with what we consider a big, deep crime. It starts with little things that don’t seem important-like jealousy in your heart. That led to lying and disobedience.”

Thought: Is there a “small” thing you know you should not do, yet it’s attractive to you? Do you give in and do the thing you know is wrong? That’s dangerous; confess your sins and stop it now.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I now know better that sin may seem small initially, but then it will grow bigger and the trouble I get into will grow deeper. Help me instead not to yield to temptation so I can stay away from trouble. This I pray in Jesus’ name – amen.