"NO CHARGE"
A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign advertising the four (4) pups and set about nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard. As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the eyes of a little boy.
“Mister,” he said, “I want to buy one of your puppies.”
“Well,” said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck, “These puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money.” The boy dropped his head for a moment. Then reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer.
“I’ve got thirty-nine cents. Is that enough to take a look?” “Sure,” said the farmer. And with that he let out a whistle. “Here, Dolly!” he called.
Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly followed by four little balls of fur. The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes danced with delight. As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse.
Slowly another little ball appeared, this one noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it slid. Then in a somewhat awkward manner, the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up.
“I want that one,” the little boy said, pointing to the runt.
The farmer knelt down at the boy’s side and said, “Son, you don’t want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would.”
With that the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his trousers. In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a specially made shoe. Looking back up at the farmer, he said, “You see sir, I don’t run too well myself, and he will need someone who understands.”
With tears in his eyes, the farmer reached down and picked up the little pup. Holding it carefully he handed it to the little boy.
“How much?” asked the little boy… “No charge,” answered the sobbing farmer, “There’s no charge for love.”
We all are imperfect. Whether we wear a leg brace as this young boy did or we can't walk at all, we all have scars and imperfections whether they are internal or external. In addition to our physical imperfections, God plainly teaches us we are all sinners (Romans 3:23). But there is an immense difference in sinners because there is "forgiven sinners" and "unforgiven sinners".
The absolute worst imperfection of all is to be an "unforgiven sinner" because only Jesus Christ can completely erase all of our imperfections. Accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior enables sinners to be acceptable in the Heavenly Father's eyes and as "forgiven sinners", we receive God's unlimited love, forgiveness, mercies and grace. (Acts 20:32).
Father God, thank You for providing a way we can receive your unlimited grace and forgiveness in Your Son, Jesus. With Jesus we are no longer imperfect and assured of eternal perfection. As we prepare to celebrate Jesus birthday, let us make it a priority to insure all of our family and friends have accepted Jesus as no one is promised tomorrow (James 4:14). The best gift of all is for "People to Get Ready" with a free ticket on the train to Jordan with lifetime reservations in paradise!