Richard Hoefler’s book “Will Daylight Come” includes this homey story:
A little boy visiting his grandparents was given his first slingshot. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit his target. As he came back to Grandma’s backyard, he spied her pet duck. On impulse he took aim and let fly. The stone hit and the duck fell dead.
The boy panicked. Desperately he hid the dead duck in the woodpile, only to look up and see his sister Sally watching. Sally had seen it all, but said nothing. After lunch that day, Grandma said, “Sally, let’s wash the dishes.” But Sally said, “Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen today. Didn’t you, Johnny?” She quickly whispered, “Remember the duck!” So Johnny did the dishes.
Later Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing. Grandma said, “I’m sorry, but I need Sally to help make supper.” Sally smiled and said, “That’s all taken care of. Johnny wants to do it.” And again the whisper, “Remember the duck!” Johnny stayed while Sally went fishing.
After several days of doing both his chores and Sally’s, he couldn’t stand it. He confessed to Grandma that he killed the duck. “I know, Johnny,” she said, giving him a hug. “I saw the whole thing. I was angry, but because I love you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make a slave of you.”
Johnny, by way of his Grandmother, learned something of God’s grace that day. God’s grace is not earned, but it is given: freely, simply and abundantly. We can seek it, even expect it, but we are not in a position to demand it.
[also found in Leadership, Fall 1983, p.86]
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