A Real Masterpiece

Bible Reading: PSALM 103:8-12

I.think this is the best painting I’ve done yet,” Thea told her cousin Ava as they painted together after school one day. Thea held up her picture of a bright red cardinal perched on a branch.

“That’s so good!” said Ava. She studied it a moment. “I really like how you outlined the wings here.” As she motioned toward the picture, her brush touched a wing, and green paint smeared onto Thea’s painting. “Oh no! I’m so sorry!” Ava exclaimed.

The girls tried to repair the picture, but the more they daubed and wiped, the worse it looked. Ava felt terrible. “Can you ever forgive me?” she asked, near tears. “I am so sorry!”

Thea was very disappointed but tried to comfort Ava. “Don’t worry about it. It’s okay.” She looked at the ruined picture. “I’ll do it over. It will be a masterpiece next time—you’ll see.” But she could tell Ava wasn’t convinced. “Really. It’s okay.” Thea tried to reassure Ava, but her cousin seemed to feel even worse than Thea did.

That evening, Thea told her family what had happened. “Ava still feels so bad about it,” she said sadly. “It’s like she doesn’t believe me when I tell her it’s okay. That makes me feel almost worse than having my picture ruined.”

“Well, I’m proud of you for your good attitude and forgiving spirit,” said Mom.

“I am too,” said Dad. “But be patient with Ava. After all, we’re all like that sometimes.”

Thea looked at her father with a puzzled expression.

“We want people to believe us when we say they’re forgiven, and God wants us to believe Him too,” Dad explained. “But sometimes we don’t.” Dad smiled at Thea. “I remember a certain young lady who stained our new carpet after she was told not to take juice into the living room. She was sorry, and we forgave her.” Thea knew he meant her. “I also heard her confess it to Jesus—several times,” continued Dad. “He forgave her too—the first time she asked.”

“Then you reminded me that Jesus died so my sins could be erased, and that He always forgives me.” Thea grinned. “A life with all our sins erased—now that’s a real masterpiece!” DORIS L. SEGER

How About You?

Do you believe Jesus when He says He forgives you? If you trust Him as your Savior, believe Him when He says He forgives all your sins. When you lie, disobey, say something unkind, or do something that seems even worse, confess it to Him. Believe what He tells you in His Word, the Bible—that through His sacrifice on the cross, all your sins have been forgiven and erased.

Today’s Key Verse:
ISAIAH 43:25 I—YES, I ALONE—WILL BLOT OUT YOUR SINS FOR MY OWN SAKE AND WILL NEVER THINK OF THEM AGAIN. (NLT)

Today’s Key Thought:

Accept God’s forgiveness