Making the Grade

One of my favorite stories from a panel event on Saturday came from a psychologist’s introductory comments explaining the passion she has for what she does.

She was asked to take on a kid who was headed for serious trouble in Boston. If she didn't take him, he was going to jail.

She described this very difficult young man who was clinically rated an "F" on the big wall chart--isn't that awful? Of course he was obstinate and angry and unmotivated. It seemed no one could get through to him.

Linda asked to be with him alone and was warned that he was considered dangerous. But, this mother of two sons said she felt she needed to do this. She sat down with him and asked, "Do you understand grace?"

"No," came the sullen reply.

She walked to the wall chart and erased the F. She said, "Well, I'm going to make you an A today."

"What are you doing?" he asked incredulously.

"This is grace," she explained. "In my eyes, you're an A and nothing else matters."

The turn-around was amazing. The boy immediately wanted to write apologies and make amends with everyone. Then, the best part of the story, he went on to become an A student and an athlete, and continues to this day to be making improvements. He literally became what this dear woman saw him to be!

He just needed to experience some grace. Day after day before he met her, all he was seeing and hearing was his failure. The world and the system had wet-stamped him, branding his life with a big RED F! It was inescapable. Until one beautiful day, someone extended a little grace and breathed a clean breath of air into his life. Everything changed.

Grace ignited the hope of change and a life was turned around. I love that story! Why? Because this is exactly what God did for me. My friend Linda demonstrated the same saving grace that took my life from the bottom of the scale and swung open the door of new life and total acceptance. When I came into His presence, He not only changed the grade, he tore down the wall chart and gave me a new name. God the Father freely gives us a clean record and a right standing. He makes all things new!

God loves grace and lavishes it on us. He erases the F for all who come to him and proclaims with a smile, “I’m making you an A today, tomorrow, and forever.”

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