While we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son. Romans 5:10
This is a true story about a Serbian named Dusan who was living in Croatia during the civil war. In 1991, Serbians living in Croatia were imprisoned, but later about 250,000 Serbians were sent home.
Dusan, age 9, was put on a bus with his mother, along with other mothers and children, to go to Serbia. Fathers and older sons were fighting for the Serbian army or remained in prison in Croatia.
The bus ride was long and when the bus finally stopped and the door opened, Dusan ran off the bus. Thinking that they were back in Serbia, he started shouting and swearing against Croatians at the top of his lungs. His mother sprinted off the bus behind him and when she caught up with him, she clapped her hand over his mouth. “We’re still in Croatia,” she said.
A squad of Croatian soldiers and policemen gathered around them, and one of the soldiers walked toward them. “Is this your son?” he said to Dusan’s mother. She was so afraid that she just stood there with her head down, holding him.
The soldier told them to stay there and said that he would return. When he did, he was carrying a box, “It’s a long journey,” he said. “Here is something to eat and drink.” The box was full of snacks and treats.
Years later, when Dusan heard the gospel, he remembered the kindness of the Croatian soldier. He said, “Here is what the gospel is like: I came running off the bus, shouting obscenities at God, clearly His powerless enemy, and God responded with a gift.”
Reflect on how the Son of God loved you and gave Himself for you. In the light of God’s mercy, who could you bless like this?
