"Don't sit on that couch, Dexter!" Grandma warned as they walked into the living room. "I'm waiting for my new one to be delivered today."
Dexter glanced at the couch with the tiger-print cover over the top of it. "There's nothing wrong with it," he said, plonking himself down on the couch. But he yelled as he sank right down. "Oh no! I can't get up."
Laughing, Grandma held out her hand and helped him up. "Oh, Dexter. I tried to tell you. Sometimes things are not what they seem. You thought my couch looked good on the outside because I covered it up, but look underneath."
Dexter lifted up the tiger-print cover. Underneath there were holes where the fabric had worn away, and the part in the middle where he'd sat down sagged low.
"Some of the springs have gone," said Grandma. "Your grandfather used to pack it with newspaper, but we really need a change."
Dexter grinned. "I didn't realize you were covering up a mess."
"That's what people do." Grandma sighed, tossing him a bean bag to sit on. "They cover up things they don't want others to see."
Just then, the doorbell rang. A few minutes later, two delivery men carried the old couch away and replaced it with a brand-new one.
"Wow, this new one's much better," Dexter said, sitting down on the firm cushions while Grandma put some popcorn in the microwave.
"You know," Grandma said, "when you came in here, you thought there was nothing wrong with that old couch. It was covered up and looked fine. The truth is, we're like that old couch. We hide our mistakes and weaknesses, pretending we're fine when really we're a mess. But even if we're able to fool others, we can't hide from God. Jesus sees us for who we really are--and He loves us! He forgives our sins and fills the gaping holes. He makes us whole and new again."
"I never thought of it like that," Dexter said, smiling. "That's awesome."
The microwave beeped. Gran brought out the popcorn and some drinks. "Come on," she said. "Time to put this new couch to good use by watching a movie." -Cindy Lee
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you trying to cover up your mistakes and flaws so no one will notice them? God knows all about them. He knows everything about you, and He loves you. Jesus loves you so much He died for you so you could have a new life with Him. You don’t have to hide. If you know Him as your Savior, He’s made you a new person. He will forgive you when you mess up.
TODAY'S KEY VERSE: 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (NLT)