Is this a good lesson about forgiveness?

Question

The Duck & the devil

There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods. He practiced in the woods; but he could never hit the target. Getting a little discouraged, he headed back for dinner. As he was walking


back he saw Grandma's pet duck. Just out of impulse, he let the slingshot fly, hit the duck square in the head and killed it. He was shocked and grieved! In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile; only to see his sister watching! Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing. After lunch the next day Grandma said, "Sally, let's wash the dishes" But Sally said, "Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen." Then she whispered to him, "Remember the duck?" So Johnny did the dishes. Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing and Grandma said, "I'm sorry but I need Sally to help make supper." Sally just smiled and said, "Well that's all right because Johnny told me he wanted to help" She whispered again , "Remember
the duck?" So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed to help. After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's; he finally couldn't stand it any longer.
He came to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck. Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug and said, "Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing, but because I love you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make a slave of you."

Thought for the day and every day thereafter?

Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done... and the devil keeps throwing it up in your face (lying, cheating, debt, fear, bad habits, hatred, anger, bitterness, etc.)...whatever it is...You need to know that God was standing at the window and He saw the whole thing. He has seen your whole life. He wants you to know that He loves you and that you are forgiven. He's just wondering how long you will let the devil
make a slave of you. The great thing about God is that when you ask for forgiveness; He not only forgives you, but He forgets. It is by God's grace and mercy that we are
saved.

Answer 1

Yes. I hadn't heard that story before. Very nice. Thanks for sharing it.

Cheers :-)

Answer 2

First of all, the Devil is just superstition, as is God. The story is amusing, but it says more about being lenient on kids than forgiveness. In a sense, the Grandma let the boy's punishment be the sister's actions. If it is saying that boys shouldn't be punished for doing wrong things, then it is a poor story. Personally, though, I think it says more about the grandmother's value of the boy versus the duck. If the duck accidently killed the boy, I think the grandmother would have been more distraught.

But as with most stories like this, there are many things you can take away from them. It depends on your viewpoint going into it.

Answer 3

Nice!
But it would have been a better illustration had Johnny not been made to pay for his sin for several days before Grandma let him off the hook

Answer 4

Even the man that crowned Jesus with a crown of thorns, could one day receive a Crown of Righteness from Jesus if he would only ask to be forgiven and mean it.

Answer 5

It was only a duck. The kid isn't going to grow up very manly at all. He is a puny boy that kills without taking ownership. If he was a country boy, that duck would have been plucked and skinned in no time.

Answer 6

Beautiful story about Gods love and forgivness.

Answer 7

that's a really cool story and yea its a good lesson for forgiveness that's 1 of my favorite stories now thanks for letting me know about that story

Answer 8

I kind of like that story.

Answer 9

yes

Answer 10

Well it's not too bad. However it lacks one significant element...REPENTANCE.

Without the repentance you will still be in danger of Hell.

~Neeva

Answer 11

I love that!!! How awesome!
Thank you for sharing that.