Henry and Jane were visiting a national park. As they entered, they noticed large signs
which read:
STAY IN YOUR CAR.
KEEP WINDOWS CLOSED
WHEN PARKED.
DO NOT FEED ANIMALS.
A park employee at the entrance also warned them about these rules. They spent several days in the beautiful park and enjoyed being able to see so many animals in their natural setting.
One day it was very hot, and they were driving slowly along with their windows open, enjoying the beautiful park scenery. Then they came to an area where several cars were parked along the road. Deciding that there must be something there worth seeing, they pulled over and parked their car. As they looked around, they soon saw what everyone was watching. Near the road were six beautiful elk feeding in a meadow. Not wanting to frighten the animals by getting out of the car, they took some pictures out of the open car window and sat watching the beautiful animals for some time.
When Jane turned away from looking out of Henry’s window with him, to her great surprise there stood a black bear looking at her through her open window! She could feel his hot breath on her neck. Jane screamed and leaned over against her husband. He quickly opened his door, and both of them scrambled out his side. Then he quickly slammed the door shut behind them.
That bear climbed right into the car through Jane’s open window and began tearing up the front seat. Then, sniffing the air, it climbed over to the back seat. The bear must have smelled their lunch in the trunk, because it began to claw and tear at the back seat. Those long, sharp claws soon found their way right through the seat and into
the trunk!
Seeing what was happening, people in a nearby car rushed off to find a park ranger. Henry and Jane could do nothing but stand back and watch that bear, now sitting in their ruined car, contentedly eating their lunch!
Soon the ranger came and managed to get the bear out of the car. But the inside of the car was a mess. The upholstery was all torn up, stuffing from the seats was scattered all over, and springs stuck up out of the seat. All of their belongings were a mess.
Remembering, too late, the warning to “KEEP WINDOWS CLOSED WHEN PARKED,” they sadly got back into the car and found a place to sit on the torn-up front seat. They decided they had better just go home, and they drove right out of the park. What a sad ending to a happy vacation!
How much better it is to obey not only the authority of people God has put over us, but to obey our heavenly Father! Have you heard the gospel message and obeyed it? Have you heard that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15))? Are you truly sorry about your sins, and have you accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your very own Savior? He died to save you from everlasting death and punishment if you will trust Him.
Memory Verse: “Now therefore hearken unto Me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep My ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.” Proverbs 8:32-33
Messages of God’s Love 10/31/2021