Mom, The Kidnapper Stole My Report Card

It is 4-something in the morning, and I can't sleep. I have gotten this crud that is going around. I have lots of congestion and body aches, but luckily, no fever. My voice is completely gone which I am sure my students will enjoy later this morning. Hopefully I will regain it soon. As a teacher, P.A. announcer, and DJ, it is kind of hard to work without it. So here I am popping Hall's cough drops and scanning the news, trying to find a devotion idea. It didn't take long in our crazy world. A story out of Huntsville, AL immediately caught my attention. It seems an 11-year old boy had just received his report card from school. He had some bad grades on it and didn't want his parents to find out. So he did what any other 11-year old would do: He made up a story that a man with a gun kidnapped him. He told police he was able to get away from the kidnapper, but he was unable to grab his book bag, which just happened to contain his report card. Police were suspicious from the start because, although the boy was unable to get his book bag as he fled the kidnapper, he did manage to "escape" with his band instrument.

That story is sort of comical. But there is a message in it for all of us. How many times do we sin and let the Lord down, and then feel so guilty that we almost make up crazy excuses when we pray to Him? I have been so plagued with guilt in the past that I would all but blame God for my sin. I would reason that God made me that way. (Thank the Lord there wasn't a lightning storm close by). The fact is, we do not need to be afraid to go to the Lord when we sin, because the Bible tells us that He will forgive us every single time! The important thing is that we go to Him, and go as soon as possible. The best thing that little boy from Huntsville could have done was just gone straight to his parents and showed them his report card. We too should just go straight to the Lord and confess. God loves each and every one of us, no matter what we may get ourselves into. But before we make things worse, we should just go straight to Him and ask for His mercy, no "ifs", "ands, or "kidnapping stories".

I John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

Father, thank you for Your Son Jesus. We accept Him, and ask you to forgive us of all our sins. Teach us to live more like Him. In Jesus name, Amen.