Not Grace like a Ballerina
3rd grade, hand raised high in excitement. I knew the answer. Finally, I knew the answer to something. Held back in first grade, taller than everyone else, bullied by a mean girl – I risked raising that hand out of a protective barrier I’d stuffed myself into for hiding.
Father Stewart was visiting our religion class – to talk about grace. He asked us to tell him what it was.
You know how it was – hand not shyly raised, but reaching, fingers wiggling – and he called on me for the answer – this grace-filled answer:
“How you move, like a ballerina,” – there – I’d risked it – a sure-fire, right answer
struck down
He swatted his hand toward me, “No” he grumbled out, as though I’d done something wrong – and turned away.
I sat there – mortified. Not just at having the wrong answer – which my mother and grandmother had taught me was the right answer. They loved graceful things. Shy outside home, that little girl grace was slowly growing into growing girl awkwardness.
“See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled” (Hebrews 12:15)
It took me a long time, until girl growing out of awkwardness risked hand-raising, fingers wiggling out-of-the home question-answering.Yet, without knowing what grace was – God poured it all over me – when I met him in my grandmother’s back yard, climbing trees, on the school bus when other kids made fun of my teeth, cowering under bed-time covers in the dark, old house sure something was going to get me, at bed-time prayers when I needed – and He was there – meeting me – loving my graceless self and giving me His
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” (1 Peter 5:10)
and when I’d grown, walked some away from Him, and came back, asking, “Show me how to love you like when I was little,” – He did, pouring that same grace all over me, embracing me – and calling me His own – always loving, gently encouraging, even when I got the answers wrong.
That 3rd grade day in religion class, my ears burned too much to hear what he said about grace. God knew. God wasn’t surprised – by my answer, by my embarrassment and momentary hearing loss – He knew how this little girl heart and mind worked. As I sought out relationship with Him, he opened my ears, my eyes and my heart to His kind of grace – so that I understood what I was receiving from Him. He doesn’t just give us one chance to get it. Some people, like me, need a lot of repetition.
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2: 4-9)
that was a lovely picture of loving, Grace-full girlhood. thank heavens… and the blue cotton memory titling is very evocative… nice works!!
Nicely done! Happy Friday!
This is so beautiful. Yes, our Lord’s grace is as endless as the oceans. And when we feel that first stirrings in our heart to seek after our Beloved, we can know for sure that He has already drawn is to Him and upholds us with His right hand; with His grace, mercy and love.
Blessings XX
Mia
Mary Leigh,
What a beautiful photo of you, as a little girl, and as a proud mama…sorry, Father S. was not kind in his response to you…Giving thanks for His ever present grace 🙂
He chases us down with his unfailing love and endless mercy and unfathomable grace! Love how you weave this in your story here. Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
Hi Blue Cotton! Oh, how I remember those questions that no one ever seemed to get right. I am so glad that the Lord covered your ears, you had the idea just right for your age and understanding. Your priests answer would have probably confused the heck out of you. Grace comes in all different ways, doesn’t it?
Love your dress for your son’s wedding. I also love this little girl at the top of your post. I think we would have been best friends.
Blessings! From Still Saturday,
Ceil
Love your stories.
Aren’t you beautiful!! What a lovely photo of you dancing with your son. That must have been a joyous day.
My answer as a child would likely have been the same as yours, but my minister probably wouldn’t have asked the question. I don’t remember any teaching about grace in the church where I grew up.
I’m sorry Father Stewart responded so ungraciously to your enthusiasm and best intentions. Praise God for revealing His true grace to you and drawing you to Himself despite that.
Really, really lovely post! I’m so happy I stopped by. We’re neighbors at Still Saturday this week.
This GRACE that saves does not come from any philosophical arguments…It is His gift.
We can have different versions of “grace’s meaning” that’s why I know that your answer was not wrong. We are touched in different degrees and different ways. It could be like a consuming fire to some. To others, it could come as overwhelming peace and calm. To you, “as it moves like a ballerina…” You aced that question! It’s sad that he didn’t recognize/discern the truth in your answer.
I love both of your pics. They’re both beautiful and special. Sister, I pray everything is well with you and your family and that you are remaining strong in the Lord’s mighty power! I’m always encouraged by your visit. I know it’s precious knowing you are busy. Take care and God bless.
wild apple ginger tea? that sounds delightful even to this coffee addict! grace and more grace, in you, around you, over, today and always…
Absolutely beautiful! I love your pictures, especially the one of you dancing at your son’s wedding. Isn’t it wonderful knowing that no matter what the world judges as right or wrong we always have the correct answer with God.
Thank you for visiting A Joyful Cottage. I’m glad you did, as it has lead me here. I identified with the awkward little girl you describe, and wonder if you had sifted through my memory box before you wrote this. I was struck not only by your own grace experience, but by Father Stewart’s lost opportunity to demonstrate beautiful grace to a sweet little girl. And it makes me ponder this: Am I so focused on the task of getting Christ’s grace message across, that I forget the very Messenger of grace Himself and how He would have me demonstrate HIs grace to the one who might not quite understand? I guess what I’m saying is that words without action are meaningless. Thanks for writing this. I’m subscribing to your blog so I don’t miss anything. ~ Nancy
Hi Maryleigh, such a cute photo. Isn’t it amazing how things mould us, words of others, that man in your class, and your mom and grandmother? God is certainly gracious and one of the things I love about His grace is He knows us so well He pours out grace in a way that only we, individually, know how to receive and know its Him. Your posts always encourage, thank you
God bless my friend
Tracy
What a perfect answer you gave that day when the father swatted his hand in reproof, sweet friend. He could not see all the ways grace shows up in our lives and spills from the “mouths of babes.” (Matthew 21:16)
May I ever move in Grace, just like a Ballerina! I loved your answer and so sorry about your wounded shy spirit on that day. Thank you for sharing your sweet story with us here at “Tell Me a Story.”