A Lesson in Grace

There big brown eyes stared at me in amazement. "But Miss C. we don't deserve it. You said we don't!" said one girl. It had been one of those days. In my head I was counting down to Thanksgiving Break. We all were getting on one another's nerves and we all needed a break. Today had been filled with teasing, name calling, arguing, and complaining. I had even stopped my lesson and made them sit at their sits until they could pull themselves together. They knew I was upset and I knew they were frustrated. And then I glanced over at the jar full of jolly ranchers on my desk. In my room I will occasionally pass out jolly ranchers when I notice exceptional behavior or someone that goes above and beyond. The rule is though that they can never ask for one. If they ask, they automatically do not get one. As I stared at the candy, I began to wonder....

"Alright, here we go." I said as I grabbed the jar. "Do you think you deserve one?" Some stared at me blankly as if I had just dared them to answer "Yes."

"Nooo Miss Christenberry" chimed most.

"Right. You definetly don't deserve one." I replied. I continued to discuss with them that the only reason I was giving them candy was just because I loved them and cared about them. Grace was something that isn't earned. It had nothing to do with what they had done. They all excitedly reached their hand in to pull out a jolly rancher. I had almost dismissed the lesson as a failure and thought I had probably just confused them. However, something interesting happened the rest of the time. For one, they all immediately got right to work and were working with each other well (something that doesn't happen often). Second, every single one of those kids pulled me off to the side to say thank you and apologized for their previous behavior. I was stunned all through lunch. A simple act of grace encouraged an entire change of attitude. I am even still at work thinking about my Saving Grace. I am truly filled with gratitude of God's grace in my life. I hope that you have a Happy Thanksgiving as well and remember His simple act of grace.