Daily Devotional for May 17, 2022
Rubbed the Wrong Way
A cat’s loud meow came from the living room—again and again. “Ava,” called Mom, “what are you doing to Luna?” Not waiting for an answer, she left her work in the office and went to investigate. “Why did Luna yowl like that?” she asked as she walked into the room.
“I was just petting her,” said Ava. “When Luna turned around to face the other way, I didn’t change the direction I was stroking her, so I was rubbing her fur opposite from the way it naturally lays.” Ava grinned. “That made it all stand up. I thought it was funny, but Luna didn’t like it!”
“I’m sure she didn’t!” said Mom. “It must feel uncomfortable for a cat to have its fur rubbed the wrong way. Don’t do that anymore.”
When Ava returned home from school the next day, she didn’t look happy. “How was your day?” asked Mom.
Ava avoided her mom’s eyes. “Fine.”
“Really?” asked Mom. “It doesn’t seem like it was fine.”
Ava looked at her mom, then burst into tears. “Oh, Mom! I cheated on a test. There were some really hard questions, and since I sit in the back corner, I was able to pull some of my notes out of my bag without anyone noticing. But now I feel awful!”
Mom gave Ava a hug. “And do you know why you feel that way?”
Ava sniffled. “Because I know it was wrong?”
Mom nodded. “Remember how Luna hated having her fur rubbed the wrong way? When we sin, it’s as if our fur is being rubbed the wrong way. That’s because sin goes against who we are as Christians. Jesus freed us from sin, so it’s the opposite of how we should be living our lives as God’s children. That’s why it makes you feel uncomfortable and guilty, and you don’t feel right again until you confess your sin to Jesus. When you do, He will forgive you.”
“I guess I need to do that now,” Ava said, wiping her eyes. She sighed. “I’ll have to tell Mrs. Naveen I cheated too, won’t I?”
Mom nodded. “I’ll call her tonight, and then you can talk to her tomorrow.”
“Okay.” Ava smiled at her mom. “I feel better already.”
-Deborah S. Marett
How about you?
Do you feel uncomfortable about something you’ve done? When you feel guilty because you know you’ve done wrong, think of it as having your fur rubbed the wrong way. Sin goes against who you are as God’s child. But you don’t need to continue feeling guilty and uncomfortable. Confess what you’ve done to Jesus, and He will forgive you.
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