The Scratched-Up Skateboard

Bible Reading: Psalm 51:1-19

“I didn’t mean to hurt your oh-so-special skateboard, Grady!” Jared told his brother. “You don’t have to get so mad!”

“I told you to leave it alone!” shouted Grady.

“Well, a skateboard is meant to jump and ride rails and stuff,” said Jared. “All you do is coast down the street on it. Why don’t you try out this ramp I built?”

Just then Dad came out to the garage. “Dad!” said Grady. “Jared scratched up my new skateboard. I told him not to take it on that ramp, but he did anyway, and now it’s a mess!”

“I couldn’t help it, Grady—I didn’t fall on purpose.” Jared pointed to his chest. “Besides, look what happened to my shirt when I fell off the board. There are grass stains all over it!”

Dad examined the skateboard. “Grady, why don’t you get some of those decals you’ve been collecting and stick them on your skateboard? They should cover most of these scratches, and then the board will look great! I’ll help you with it, okay?” Grady looked relieved as he nodded. Then Dad turned to Jared. “Do you want some white paint to put over those stains on your shirt?”

“Paint?” Jared shook his head. “Of course not! These stains will have to be washed out—not covered up.”

“I agree,” said Dad, “but do you know that the wrong things you do shouldn’t be covered up either? You shouldn’t have scratched up Grady’s skateboard, but we’re making the best of it with the sticker idea. But instead of accepting responsibility and apologizing, you made excuses, even complained about what your stunt had done to your shirt. You were trying to cover up the wrong thing you did, weren’t you?”

“Well, I—I guess so,” admitted Jared. “I’m sorry, Grady.”

“When we do wrong, we need to confess it to Jesus and admit that we’ve sinned,” said Dad. “And when we’ve hurt someone else, we need to tell that person we’re sorry and ask for forgiveness.” Dad patted Jared’s shoulder. “Mom will do her best with that shirt, but it might never be quite the same again. But when we confess our sin, Jesus is always ready and willing to forgive and completely wash it away.” – Lyndel F. Walker

How About You?

When you’ve done something wrong, do you accept responsibility? Or do you look for someone else to blame? Don’t do that! Learn to say, “It’s my fault. I’m sorry.” Admit it when you’ve done something wrong, and ask God and others to forgive you. That’s far better than making excuses or blaming others for what you’ve done. God will forgive you—and if you’re truly sorry, others usually will too.

Today’s Key Verse: Psalm 51:2-3 Scrub away my guilt. Wash me clean from my sin. I know I have done wrong.

Today’s Key Thought:

Accept responsibility for your actions