The Wrong Key

Ethan's mom was making dinner when he walked into their apartment. "Hi, Mom," he said as he put his coat in the closet. "Youth group was great! We had a missionary speaker who talked to us about how to tell people about Jesus." He cringed when he heard a bowl come down hard onto the counter. Oops, he thought. I forgot--she probably doesn't want to hear about it.

"Well, don't start preaching at me," Mom said. "I'm doing fine on my own."

"But, Mom," said Ethan, feeling like he needed to say something, "the only way to heaven is through Jesus. We need to have our sins forgiven."

"Ethan, if God is as good as you say He is, then He'll let good people into heaven. Life hasn't been easy for me, but I've managed to put food on the table and take care of you all by myself. That should count for something!"

Ethan sighed. "Mom, what counts is what God says. He says nobody is good enough for heaven and that you need to trust in His Son, Jesus."

Mom pursed her lips. "I told you--I don't want t