I once read a story about a young boy and his little sister who went to visit their grandparents out on the farm. The boy, Johnny, was given a slingshot to play with in the woods behind the house, but could never seem to hit the targets. Frustrated and discouraged, Johnny started back to the house for dinner. Along the way he saw his grandma’s pet duck, and out of impulse, he let a rock fly and hit the duck square in the head and killed it. He was shocked and grieved, and without thinking, hid the dead duck’s body behind the wood pile. As he turned toward the house, he realized his little sister Sally, who was sitting on the front porch, had witnessed the whole thing, but said nothing.
After dinner, Grandma said, “Sally, I need you to help me wash these dishes.” To which Sally replied, “Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help with the dishes.” She then turned to Johnny and whispered, “Remember the duck?” So, Johnny went and did the dishes.
The next day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing with him that afternoon, but Grandma chimed in and said, “I’m sorry, but I need Sally to stay here and help me make supper.” Sally just smiled and replied, “Well, actually, Johnny told me he wanted to stay here and help you.” Again, she looked at Johnny and whispered, “Remember the duck?” So, Sally went fishing that afternoon and Johnny stayed behind.
After several more days of Johnny doing both his and Sally’s chores, he finally couldn’t stand it any longer and broke down in tears. He went to his grandma and confessed that he had killed her pet duck. Grandma got down on Johnny’s level, gave him a hug, and gently said, “Sweetheart, I already knew about the duck. You see, I was standing at the kitchen window and saw the whole thing happen. But because I love you so much, I forgave you. I’ve just been wondering how long you were going to let Sally make a slave of you.”
This may sound strange, but do you have any “dead ducks” in your life? Is there anything that Satan seems to be holding over your head; keeping you a slave? Are there any pains from your past that you just can’t seem to let go? Well, if you’re in Christ, please remember that you’ve already been set free! Galatians 5:1 says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Don’t allow Satan to throw any “dead ducks” in your face. Know that God has already forgiven you, that He loves you, and that “if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).