Little Leroy came
into the kitchen where his mother was making dinner. His birthday was coming
up and he thought this was a good time to tell his mother what he wanted.
“Mom, I want
a bike for my birthday,” Leroy asked.
Now Little Leroy
was a bit of a troublemaker. He had gotten into trouble at school and at home.
Leroy’s mother asked him if he thought he deserved to get a bike for his birthday.
Little Leroy, of course, thought he did.
Leroy’s mother,
being a Christian woman, wanted Leroy to reflect on his behavior over the last
year. “Go to your room, Leroy, and think about how you have behaved this
year,” she said. “Then write a letter to God and tell Him why you
deserve a bike for your birthday.”
Little Leroy stomped
up the steps to his room and sat down to write God a letter.
Letter 1:
“Dear God, I have been a very good boy this year and I would like a bike
for my birthday. I want a red one. Your friend, Leroy.”
Leroy knew that
wasn’t true. He had not been a very good boy this year so he tore up the letter
and started over.
Letter 2:
“Dear God, I have been an “OK” boy this year. I still would really
like a bike for my birthday. Leroy.”
Leroy knew he could
not send this letter to God either. So he wrote a third letter.
Letter 3:
“God, I know I haven’t been a good boy this year. I am very sorry. I will
be a good boy if you just send me a bike for my birthday. Please! Thank you,
Leroy.”
Leroy knew, even
if it was true, this letter was not going to get him a bike. By now, Leroy was
very upset. He went downstairs and told his mom that he wanted to go to church.
Leroy’s mother
thought her plan had worked as Leroy looked very sad. “Just be home in
time for dinner,” Leroy’s mother told him.
Leroy walked down
the street to the church on the corner. Little Leroy went into the church and
up to the altar. He looked around to see if anyone was there. Leroy bent down
and picked up a statue of the Virgin Mary. He slipped it under his shirt and
ran out of the church, down the street, into the house, and up to his room and
sat down with a piece of paper and a pen. Leroy began to write his letter to
God.
Letter 4:
“God, I’VE GOT YOUR MAMA. IF YOU WANT TO SEE HER AGAIN, SEND THE BIKE.
Signed, YOU KNOW WHO.
– from Internet
for Christians newsletter, 7/22/03
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