An act of Grace

What is Grace? Grace is God's Riches at Christ's Expense. Grace is getting/receiving something we do not deserve. We had been doing a campaign at church called Captured by Grace by David Jeremiah. Our Sunday School lessons were tailored to go along with the whole campaign. There was a "Grace Challenge" each week for the kids.

Week One's challenge was to take somebody else's punishment for something to show them grace. Well, no one did it. It was a little frustrating but oh well. Well, week after week no one was really doing the challenges. Week 5 arrived and Brad taught our 1st - 3rd graders that day. He reiterated the previous weeks Grace Challenges to all the kids.

Our little Gabe was listening. That night we put the kids to bed and I was coming up the stairs to see Brad leading Gabe into our room. Here's what happened next:

Me: "What's going on here?"

Brad: "Justin got out of bed so Gabe has to get a spankin'."

Me: "What?"

Brad: "Son, get up on the bed for your spankin'. You're not gonna fight me, right?"

Gabe: "Okay Daddy I won't."

Brad raises his hand up to spank Gabe and Gabe's whole body tightens up. Brad brought his hand down...

Brad: "Gabe, buddy, I can't spank you."

Gabe: "Why?"

Brad: "Because I'm not God."

Brad then took Gabe back into bed and Justin was extremely concerned with his brother getting spanked. Brad told Justin that if he got out of bed again he WOULD get a spankin'. Brad came out and I asked him what had happened and this is what he said...

"Justin got out of bed so I told him to come to our room so I could spank him. Then Gabe spoke up and said, 'No Daddy, don't spank Justin. I want to show him Grace. Spank me instead.'"

I had tears in my eyes as I thought of how brave my little guy was. He was willing to take a spanking for his brother. That is love.