Great little story - thanks to Maria for sending it our way!
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."
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, gossip, etc., 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.
With over 400 people in attendance, every school-age child received a free backpack of their choice, stocked full of school supplies to get the new school season started off right. Kids’ faces were all smiles as they opened their packs and sifted through the contents to find brightly colored markers, paper, scissors, and all the basics that make the new school year fun. Six hair technicians from the Paul Mitchell Academy in Sacramento volunteered their time to cut hair for any student who desired a new look this fall. Boys and girls alike were thrilled at the opportunity to show off their new styles. For some, this may be the only professional hair cut they receive this year. For an extra touch of security, the Yolo County Masonic Lodge conducted digital fingerprinting, complete with pictures of each child for parents’ records.
While parents appreciated the sensible gifts, their children expended their energy jumping in bounce-houses, working on a variety of crafts for all ages, and displaying an array of artistic face paint designs. Though some waited their turn for hair cuts or crafts, a booth full of homemade baked goods and occasional door prize give-aways helped the time pass quickly.
