Short Stories

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Five year old Gabriel was excited to shoot hoops with his dad. "Ready dad?". Just one more minute, Gabe. I have to make a phone call, you go on out there and practice and I'll be right out." "Okay" he answered as he trotted to the driveway, basketball in hand. A few minutes passed and he had a great time shooting hoops, though none of them actually reached the basket. He pretended he was a famous basket ball player and the outcome of the game depended on him. "He shoots, he.....uhoh......", the ball slammed through the window with a loud CRASH. Gabriel ran to the scene. He saw his dad inside, still on the phone, unaware of the incident. "I better clean this up" he though. He picked up a piece of glass. It cut his finger. Tears streamed down his face. His finger hurt but he was more afraid that his dad would be mad. He and mommy just had new windows put in. They were so clean, that you could see into the house without streaks.

His dad walked outside. "Gabe, what happened?" Don't be mad!" he cried! I was making the winning basket but it ended up going into the window! Am I in trouble?". "Its only a window, I'm just glad you're ok." Gabe held up his finger. "I tried to clean the glass by myself." "Uhoh, we better get that fixed, buddy." He picked up his son, and took him into the house to clean his finger and put a Superman band aide on it."

"Dad.". "Yeah buddy?" "I'm glad you forgave me." "Of course, Gabe". You're my son." And we all make mistakes. "Do I have to be punished?" "Well, answered his dad." Fall is coming up, how about you help your dad rake the leaves, and that will help pay for the window." "ok, that sounds fun" "But", his dad grinned-"we better put that ball in time out. It knows the rules, no basketball in the house!" Father and son both laughed. "Dad, said Gabe." Yeah buddy-"I'll race you to the driveway!" Yeah, I bet with all that practice, you'll beat me at basketball today." So Gabe and his dad spent the saturday afternoon shooting hoops and having fun. The young boy had joy knowing that he had a father who was kind and forgiving, and his love saw beyond his faults.

When we "break windows" our Father in Heaven forgives us. He picks us up, cleans our wounds and comforts our fears. When we feel shame in our hearts, he makes us smile again. The Jewish Holiday, Yom Kippur, or Day of Attonement" is coming up (in Sept.). And everyday, when we sin and fall short, we can sit with our Father, tell him our mistakes, say we are sorry, and be healed in His arms of forgiveness and compassion. Because of His Fatherhood, our Sonship, and His mercy we are forgiven and each day is a new start with the Lord, who made us, knows us, and loves us anyways!

God bless as you seek His forgiveness, and recieve it beyond imagining.

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