March 12
Scripture: 2 John 1:3
Source author: Wayne A. Pearson
March 12
A Bucket of Paint Grace, mercy, and peace, which come from God the Father and from Jesus Christ—the Son of the Father—will continue to be with us who live in truth and love. —2 John 1:3
Wayne! Don’t move your stepladder with the paint bucket still sitting on it,” ordered my dad, a paint contractor who was also my boss. “Oh, it’ll be okay,” I insisted, and pushed the stepladder a few inches across the client’s front porch. Instantly, a white paint tsunami splashed my overalls and shoes, soaked the drop cloth, and surged across the floor. From his ladder perch, my dad, weary from working in the August heat, eyed the damage and his not-too-bright teenager. Calmly, he stepped down and said, “Well, let’s clean it up.” I deserved an angry reprimand, but instead he helped me mop up the mess. Dad’s forgiving mercy taught me godly love. The heavenly Father warns me against wrong attitudes and actions. Yet, at times, I foolishly ignore Him and disobey. The result is always harmful—sometimes disastrous. Yet my loving Lord is gracious and merciful. He forgives me and helps me mop up the mess.
Thankfully, God loves us even when we foolishly disregard His Word. — Wayne A. Pearson —