About This Product
The children called me “Mr. Beans” after I told them this story:
On the farm where I lived as a child in Minnesota, we had to work, whether we wanted to or not. One morning in the springtime, on a day just right for fishing, my mother came to me with a pan of bean seeds and said, “Oscar, take these and plant them in the garden today. Put them in straight rows a few inches apart and cover each bean with dirt. Plant them all. Understand?” I said, “Yes.”
Planting beans is not any fun. In fact, it’s a back-breaking job. Stoop down — get up. Stoop down — get up. Stoop down — get up. On and on it goes. Who could enjoy that? And it was extra hard on me because my mind was really down at the lake where the fish were biting. But there was no way I could get out of it. So I worked, day-dreaming all the while about other things. Body in the garden — heart at the lake.
Then, all at once, it happened: I accidently stepped on the edge of the pan. FLIP! Over it went. Beans scattered everywhere. What a mess! Now all I could see was more work than ever.
But suddenly I got a bright idea: “There’s no need to pick up the spilled beans,” I thought. “I’ll just cover them up and no one will ever know the difference. And besides, that will end the job.” So I did and headed for the house with my rake and hoe and empty pan. Mother met me at the door and said, “Done already? Did you do a good job?” I said, “Yes.” Then she let me go fishing. But I knew in my heart that I had told a lie.
All went well for a few days. Then something happened: The beans began to grow and came up through the dirt. I mean ALL OF THEM — not only the ones I had planted in neat rows, but also the ones I had spilled. Now my story about doing a “good job” was ruined! And mother could see what had happened. She understood it all. Because she loved me very much, it was necessary for her to punish me for lying about the “good job” I didn’t do.
The Bible says, “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23). We can’t hide anything from God. He knows all about the things we have tried to cover up.
I tell you this story because I also want to tell you another story: the story of Jesus. It’s more important. He is the Son of God who came from heaven to do great things for you and for me. He knew all about our sins. He died for us on the cross to take the punishment we deserve. He wants us to accept Him as our Saviour. He forgives us when we believe on Him.
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15).
“The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).
Pray to the Lord Jesus Christ right now. Tell Him that you are a sinner but that you want Him to take your sins away. He will do it. I accepted Him as my own personal Saviour when I was a child. Now I have lived a long life and have learned to know Him better and to love Him. He has never disappointed me, and He never will. I want you to know Him too.
Sincerely, your friend,
Oscar F. Myers
(“Mr. Beans”)
“Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).