(Due to conditions beyond my capabilities, Wednesday's blog is one day late. So just pretend it's Wednesday, and we'll be fine. I promise.)
When I was in my early 30's, I went back to school to become
a court reporter. There were probably 20
ladies in the class, most right out of high school. I was one of only two students above the age
of 25.
There was a group of about 6 ladies who hung around
together, ate lunch together, went to movies together, that kind of stuff. They loved to get in a tight little huddle
and whisper and laugh. Sometimes one
would look up and focus on somebody in the class, then she'd turn back to the
group and whisper and then all of them would laugh. It was very obvious that they were laughing
about somebody in the class.
It was like being back in high school. Ugh…
I kept hearing my name whispered throughout the day between
these girls, and I didn't like it. So finally
I went over to them when they were in their little huddle and said, "I
keep hearing my name. Are you talking
about me?"
They were stunned – deer in the headlights kinda thing – and
very quickly assured me that I was not the Carol they were talking about. It was the other Carol in the class. I asked them what she had done to make them
talk about her so much. Apparently, they
thought she was trying to be teacher's pet, always had the right answers,
always had her homework done, dressed funny and talked funny.
My turn to be stunned.
I had not picked up on that at all.
Okay, maybe the teacher's pet thing a little.
As time went along, they got bolder and bolder with their disdain
about Carol. I saw them snub her and
ignore her. I tried to avoid the group
and ignored their whispers.
One day in typing class, one of the girls did not bring any
carbon paper to class. Not the worst
crime in the world, but the teacher was very strict and would not allow you to
stay in the class for that day. You were
either prepared and stayed or you were unprepared and dismissed from the class.
So this girl was frantically asking those around her for
carbon paper because she could not afford to miss a class. No one in her little circle had any to
spare.
And about that time, Carol said, "I have some you can
use." Much to everyone’s surprise,
she handed her a piece of carbon paper.
The whole room stopped and stared.
This girl in particular had been very rude to Carol, and here was Carol
offering her the very thing she needed to stay in class. She took it, mumbled a "thank you"
and sat down at her typewriter.
That girl had no right to any kindness from Carol, but Carol
did it anyway. It was so simple,
really. Just offering what was
needed. That’s grace for you.
God does the same for us. Reaching, reaching, waiting,
waiting, and then showing us what we don't deserve – love, caring, tenderness. Grace.
From his fullness we have all received grace upon grace; John 1:16 (CEB)
Thank you, Loving Father.
Thank you for grace. Thank you
for people who show us grace. Thank you for
allowing us to be the grace for someone else.
Amen
davy
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