When I was growing up, I didn't feel much love at my elementary school.
It didn't help that I had coke bottles at the end of my nose, that I was
clumsy, or that I was a Francophone amidst a Flemish population in a
Flemish school. Youngsters seemed to specialize in teasing me, and my
only friends were those who were considered rejects themselves. The only
safe place for me at recess was amongst the younger kids. Interestingly,
these little ones accepted me willingly, ignoring my ill-fated qualities
in life. At least none of them would point the finger.
It
happened one day, however, at a local fair, that I was touched by grace.
I was at a shooting gallery, desperately trying to hit pieces of chalk
that were being used as targets. Whoever succeeded at making a whole
piece of chalk crumble would be awarded a prize, and the more chalk you
managed to crumble, the bigger the prize. Being young, I was not at all
successful in my endeavours. The only thing I accomplished was using up
all my money, and with tear-filled eyes, I could only look at the
coveted prize.
I was ready to turn away from the shooting gallery
when a high school kid appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, and said, "I
will shoot it for you!"
Before I could say anything, he paid the
vendor for ample non-dangerous ammunition, and he quickly eradicated
several pieces of chalk. I received my reward that day, but more
importantly, I felt extra special that a total stranger had taken his
time to show me what grace truly meant. It was such a nice reprieve from
being the laughingstock of everyone! Maybe there was hope after all!
"If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a
stone at her." (John 8:7 NIV)
Rob Chaffart