35 years haunted - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 1:7

35 years haunted
Wilhelm Busch (1897–1966) recounts how a miner once came to visit him, a man he didn’t know. He sat sullenly before him. Then he pulled a 100-mark note from his wallet, slammed it on the table, and said, “This belongs to your youth work.”

Wilhelm Busch couldn’t make sense of the donation and looked at the giver inquiringly. Finally, the man told him that as a 15 year old, he was allowed to sell small magazines for the community. The proceeds were intended for youth work. But he always diverted a few pennies for himself – altogether, at least 1 mark. And this money had ruined his entire life.

He couldn’t attend confirmation classes or church services anymore. He always felt like a thief and a hypocrite before God. How could he pray to Him then? Impossible! Now he couldn’t take it anymore. For 35 years, the money had haunted him: hence the 100 marks, with interest and compound interest. Surely that would make everything right!

Wilhelm Busch replied to him, “Can one make amends for that? It is good that you have admitted the wrong and returned what was stolen. But what about your guilt before God?” The miner’s head shot up: “What do I have to do now?” Busch replied, “Before God, we cannot undo any deed. But there is one who has already made everything right, Jesus Christ.” And then he read to him: “The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.”

Perhaps you too are carrying a burden of guilt through life, have even tried to make amends? But have you confessed it to God? Only that is able to lighten the heart and conscience.

Today’s reading: Joshua 1:1-18 · 1 Corinthians 1:1-9