"You, therefore, have no
excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge
the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the
same things." (Rom 2:1 NIV)
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
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.