Twice mine: first, I made you, then I bought you

A young boy spent several days making a small boat to play with in the water. Finally, it was ready for its maiden voyage, so he carried it to the edge of the river. He carefully placed it in the water and slowly let out the string. How smoothly the boat sailed! He sat in the warm sunshine, admiring the little boat that he had built.
Suddenly, a strong current caught the boat. The little boy tried to pull it back to shore, but the string broke. The little boat raced downstream. The boy ran along the sandy shore as fast as he could, but, soon, his boat vanished from sight. All afternoon he searched for the boat. Finally, when it was too dark to look any longer, he walked home overcome with sorrow.
A few days later, on the way home from school, the boy spotted a boat just like his in a store window. When he got closer, he saw—to his amazement—it was his boat! The boy rushed into the store and informed the store manager: "Sir, that's my boat in your window! I made it!"
"Sorry, son, but someone else brought it in this morning. If you want it, you'll have to buy it.”
The boy ran home and counted all his money. It took all that he had but he bought back the little boat he had made. As he left the store, the boy hugged his boat and said, "Now you're twice mine: first, I made you, and now I bought you."
This little story in many ways sums up the message of the Bible. God made us to enjoy fellowship with Him. In the garden of Eden, we see God walking and talking with Adam and Eve (Gen. 2:15-17; 3:8). Yet, when Adam and Eve chose to eat of the forbidden fruit they were driven from the garden and God’s presence. Unfortunately, it was not just Adam and Eve who disobeyed God but, we all have sinned (Rom. 3:23) and sin separates us from God (Isa. 59:1-2). God formed us, but sin has deformed us.
God made us and he buys us back. Peter reminds us that we were redeemed not with silver and gold but with the spotless blood of Jesus (1 Pet. 1:17-19). As Jesus is worshiped in Revelation 5 the heavenly hosts praise Him saying, “Worthy are you to take the book and to break its seals for you were slain and purchased for God with your blood men from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation.
We now twice belong to the Lord: he made us, and he purchased us back from our sinful ways. Let us praise God for His unbelievable mercy and live in light of what he has done for us!