[Ohio-Communities-of-Faith] FW: GRACE

Wed Aug 25 12:37:36 UTC 2021

From: Larry Perry [mailto:larryperry at performancepress.ccsend.com] On Behalf Of Larry Perry
Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2021 8:10 AM
To: mmoore11 at kent.edu
Subject: EXT: GRACE

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Letter from Larry

Wednesday

August 25, 2021

Good Wednesday Morning Everyone:

Most of you readers don't remember when teachers and principals used to

punish rebel students with a belt. Oh like most people my age I have had

my share of whippings. My problem is that when I got home, I would get 

another whipping too. I have eaten off the mantel many times!! Anyway

today's story is one of Grace. Think about it as you read through it.

Grace. What is God's Grace?

"Grace, in its short definition is unmerited favor. You can not earn it, it is 

a gift and is always freely given. It means that you will not be getting what 

you so richly deserve."

What is Grace?

The boy stood with back arched, head cocked back and hands clenched 

defiantly. "Go ahead, give it to me."

The principal looked down at the young rebel. "How many times have 

you been here?"

The child sneered rebelliously, "Apparently not enough."

The principal gave the boy a strange look. "And you have been punished

each time have you not?"

"Yeah, I been punished, if that's what you want to call it." He threw

out his small chest, "Go ahead I can take whatever you dish out. I 

always have."

"And no thought of your punishment enters your head the next time 

you decide to break the rules does it?"

"Nope, I do whatever I want to do. Ain't nothin' you people gonna

do to stop me either."

The principal looked over at the teacher who stood nearby. "What did

he do this time?"

"Fighting. He took little Tommy and shoved his face into the sandbox."

The principal turned to look at the boy, "Why? What did little Tommy 

do to you?"

"Nothin, I didn't like the way he was lookin' at me, just like I don't 

like the way your lookin' at me! And if I thought I could do it, I'd shove

your face into something."

The teacher stiffened and started to rise but a quick look from the

principal stopped him. He contemplated the child for a moment and 

then quietly said, Today my young student, is the day you learn about

grace."

"Grace? Isn't that what you old people do before you sit down to eat I 

don't need none of your stinkin grace."

"Oh but you do." The principal studied the young mans face and

whispered. "Oh yes, you truly do..."

The boy continued to glare as the principal continued, "Grace, in its short 

definition is unmerited favor. You can not earn it, it is a gift and is 

always freely given. It means that you will not be getting what you so 

richly deserve."

The boy looked puzzled. "Your not gonna whup me? You just gonna

let me walk?"

The principal looked down at the unyielding child. "Yes, I am going

to let you walk."

The boy studied the face of the principal, "No punishment at all? 

Even though I socked Tommy and shoved his face into the sandbox?"

"Oh, there has to be punishment. What you did was wrong and there 

are always consequences to our actions. There will be punishment. 

Grace is not an excuse for doing wrong."

"I knew it," Sneered the boy as he held out his hands. "Lets get on 

with it."

The principal nodded toward the teacher. "Bring me the belt." The teacher 

presented the belt to the principal. He carefully folded it in two and then 

handed it back to the teacher. He looked at the child and said. "I want you

to count the blows."

He slid out from behind his desk and walked over to stand directly in

front of the young man. He gently reached out and folded the child's 

outstretched, expectant hands together and then turned to face the teacher 

with his own hands outstretched.One quiet word came forth from his

mouth. "Begin."

The belt whipped down on the outstretched hands of the principal. 

Crack! The young man jumped ten feet in the air.

Shock registered across his face, "One" he whispered. Crack! "Two." 

His voice raised an octave. Crack! "Three..." He couldn't believe this. 

Crack! "Four." Big tears welled up in the eyes of the rebel.

"OK stop! That's enough. Stop!" Crack! Came the belt down on the

callused hands of the principal. Crack! The child flinched with each 

blow, tears beginning to stream down his face.

Crack! Crack! "No please", the former rebel begged, "Stop, I did it,

I'm the one who deserves it. Stop! Please. Stop..."

Still the blows came, Crack! Crack! One after another. Finally it 

was over.

The principal stood with sweat glistening across his forehead and 

beads trickling down his face.

Slowly he knelt down.

He studied the young man for a second and then his swollen hands

reached out to cradle the face of the weeping child.

"Grace..."

May God place His Grace on you and yours and be thankful for 

what you have!!

Larry

NOTE: This letter is sent to anyone interested in receiving these inspirational notes. There is no charge and you are encouraged to forward these to anyone you think would benefit from reading them. If you would like to receive them direct, just send an email to me at larryperry at att.net and ask.

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