Toy Boat

A father and his small son worked together and built a toy boat. They whittled out its hull, painted it red, and attached a white sail. Then they enjoyed  many happy hours sailing it in the river running through their village. Somehow the father died. When the boy sailed the  boat alone, it brought back good memories. Until... One day a big wind caught the little sail and carried the boat  down the river faster than the boy could  run after it. Out it sailed into the sea. The boy missed his boat so much for the long time it was gone. About Thanksgiving time, he was overjoyed to  see his little boat appear in the toy shop  window. He ran inside and said, "That's my little boat in the window! My father and I made it and it was lost to the sea." The shop owner said, "The little boat was brought in by fishermen who found  it. I'll let you have it for what it cost me." The boy had no money. But he went to  work. He cut wood. He sold papers. He  did everything he could think of to do.  Each day he counted his money. And each day he held his breath as he passed the toy shop to see if the little boat was still there. At last, on Christmas Eve, he had enough money.  But had someone bought the little boat  for a gift? How thankful he was to see it  still in the window. When he came out of  the shop, he clasped the little boat to his  chest and cried, "Little boat! Little boat!  You're twice mine! I made you! And I bought you!" God made us and He redeemed us. He redeemed us not with silver and gold, but with "precious  Blood."

Shared by
Billye Brim