White as Snow

"Come, let us settle this," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be white as snow; though they are crimson red, they will be like wool." Isaiah 1:18

There once was an old man named Mr. Morton, who owned a convenience store. This store was his livelihood and he took so much pride in what he had built. He was well known throughout the community and everyone loved him and supported his business. Mr. Morton trusted his customers and the community he served, so he was never worried about his profits and was not concerned with anyone trying to take from him. However, one day, Mr. Morton began to notice that cans of soda were missing from the refrigerated compartment of his store. At the beginning of each day he would restock them, but he knew that he was not selling as much soda as he was restocking. Something didn’t add up.

A few weeks passed and one day Mr. Morton saw two boys come into the store that he didn’t recognize. One boy was younger, about ten years old, and was carrying what looked like a very heavy backpack on his back and he looked scared. The other boy, who must have been his older brother, looked to be about sixteen years old, and had a look of shame and remorse on his face as they entered the store. The boys walked up to the counter and asked to speak to the store owner. Mr. Morton, curious at this point as to what the boys wanted, kindly told the older boy that he was the store owner and asked how he could help them. 

The older boy started to explain that they were new in town and his younger brother had been taking cans of soda from the store to give to students at school in an attempt to make new friends. The other brother repeatedly apologized for his younger brother saying how his family doesn’t condone stealing at that his younger brother knows better. He then opened up the younger boy’s backpack and started placing ten cans of stolen soda on the counter. The little boy stood frozen and quiet, just waiting for the punishment that would surely come upon him. 

Mr. Morton stepped out from behind the counter and got down to the younger boy’s level. With tears forming in his eyes, the young boy managed to stammer out an apology. 

“I’m s-s-s-sorry mister. I p-p-p-promise I won’t take your soda again.”

Mr. Morton opened his arms wide and replied, “Come here son.”

The younger boy looked shocked, not expecting this response. He glanced up at his older brother, who had a look of surprise and curiosity on his face as well. He gently nodded his head toward Mr. Morton, indicating to his little brother to go ahead. The little boy walked into Mr. Morton’s arms and they exchanged an embrace.

“It’s ok son,” Mr. Morton said, “I forgive you.”

This was not the response that the younger boy or his older brother were expecting. The younger boy was expecting to be yelled at, and the older brother had gone to the ATM just moments before, expecting to pay for all of the cans of soda that his younger brother had stolen.

“I know it is hard moving to a new town. In fact, I myself moved to this town when I was a young boy and had to make all new friends too.” Mr. Morton explained. 

Mr. Morton then invited the young boy over to the refrigerated compartment. The younger boy, still shocked and unsure of how to respond, followed Mr. Morton over to the other side of the store. His older brother was still standing at the counter, watching with curiosity as to what would happen next.

“How many boys are in your class, young man?” Mr. Morton asked the boy.

“Umm.... I think fifteen.” the boy slowly responded with some hesitation in his voice.

“Wonderful.” replied Mr. Morton. “Here, take twenty cans of soda just in case, and also, give one to your teacher and one to your older brother over there,” he said as he nodded his head towards the boy’s older brother who was still standing by the counter amazed at what he was witnessing.

“But sir,” the younger boy replied, “I stole ten sodas from you, why are you giving me double what I stole from you?”

“Son,” Mr. Morton replied, “I forgive you for taking the sodas. I am giving you these sodas so that you can share them with your friends. The one thing I ask of you is that you tell your friends that you got the soda from my store, and please bring your new friends to my store so I can meet them as well.”

“Yes sir.” the young boy replied. 

Still a bit confused, but not wanting to ask more questions, the young boy filled up his backpack with twenty new cans of soda and met his brother and Mr. Morton back at the counter. 

“Thank you very much sir,” the older boy replied. “I would still like to pay you for the ten cans of soda that my younger brother took from you.”

“Nonsense,” Mr. Morton replied. “Just as I told your younger brother, I understand the difficulties of moving to a new town and not knowing anyone. You don’t owe me anything for the sodas. All I ask is that you both bring your family and your new friends to my store so I can meet them as well.”

“Will do sir,” the older boy replied. “We will tell everyone we know to come to your store and buy whatever they need.”

“That would be wonderful!” Mr. Morton replied. “I look forward to seeing you boys again very soon.”

The three exchanged hugs and the two brothers walked out of the store. Although the younger brother now had double the amount of soda cans in his backpack from when he first entered the store just a few minutes earlier—his backpack felt as light as a feather and he skipped down the street happy as could be—thinking about all the new friends he would soon be bringing to Mr. Morton’s shop.

- - - - - -

Just as Mr. Morton offered forgiveness to the young boy, God offers us that same forgiveness. God does not remember our sins and as He says in the book of Isaiah, He washes them “white as snow”. Just as God forgives us, He wants us to also offer that same grace and forgiveness to others. God asks us for something simple in return—He wants us to keep coming back to Him and to spend time with Him. Just as Mr. Morton wanted the young boy to tell all his friends about the store so he could meet them, God wants us to tell others about Him so that they can know Him too. He wants everyone to experience His forgiveness, mercy, and love.

Journal Prompt - Think about a time when you felt that something you did was so horrible, that there would be no way God could ever forgive you. How did you feel after repenting and receiving God's forgiveness? If you haven't repented already, God wants to settle this. He is waiting to embrace you with open arms as you repent so He can offer you forgiveness. Accept His forgiveness today. Is there anyone in your life right now who you need to forgive? What can you do today to let them know that you forgive them?

"Come, let us settle this," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be white as snow; though they are crimson red, they will be like wool." Isaiah 1:18

Prayers & Love Always