Let It Go

Bible Reading: 1 John 1:5-10

Katie’s brother Brent had wanted a pet monkey ever since Dad’s job had brought their family to South America. “Rico told me how to catch one,” Brent told his sister one day. “I made a hole in a big gourd and put a banana in it. When a monkey reaches in to get it, he’ll be caught because the hole isn’t big enough for him to get his paw out while he’s holding the banana. Rico says the monkey won’t let go.” Brent grinned. “I’ll fasten this gourd to that tree over there. Maybe it will catch a monkey by the time Dad and I get back from the village!”

Katie smiled, but her thoughts were not on monkeys. They were on a doll. During a recent visit from a woman and her daughter Rosita, the girls had played together with a beautiful handmade doll Rosita had brought. I wish I had a doll like that, Katie had thought. When the visitors were leaving, Katie noticed Rosita had left her doll on the floor but didn’t say anything.

Instead, she waited until they were gone, then quietly scooped up the doll and hid it in her dresser drawer. She only took it out when no one was around. But playing with it isn’t much fun, she thought now. It just makes me feel guilty!

Katie was almost finished with her chores that afternoon when she heard a commotion outside. She ran out and saw a monkey with its paw inside Brent’s gourd. The monkey was jumping around and screeching, trying to get free. Katie felt sorry for it. “Let go of the banana and you’ll be free,” she called out. “Let it go!” But the monkey would not let go of the banana.

Suddenly, Katie thought about Rosita’s doll. I’m as bad as that monkey, she thought. I need to let go of Rosita’s doll and be free of my guilty feelings!

Katie hesitated only a moment; then she ran into the house to get the doll. Silently, she asked God to forgive her. I’ll ask Rosita to forgive me too, she told the Lord. As she pulled the doll out of its hiding place, she felt the guilt start to melt away. – Matilda H. Nordtvedt

How About You?

Are you miserable because you’re trying to hide something you did? Are you afraid you’ll have to face consequences because of it? But you’re not happy now either, are you? In the Bible, God tells you the way out of your misery. He says to let go of your sin by confessing it and asking God—and perhaps others—to forgive you. Then stop doing it. You’ll be glad you did!

Today’s Key Verse:
Proverbs 28:13 Whoever hides their sins will not be successful, but whoever confesses their sins and stops doing wrong will receive mercy. (ERV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Confess sin and be forgiven