Grace that covers our mistakes

By Jeff Becraft

A couple of weeks ago, I was backing out of my driveway.  Across the street, there was a car parked out on the road. Every once in a great while there might be a car parked there and you have to maneuver around it if you are coming out of our driveway.

This day I really didn’t pay attention.

I backed out onto the street and then I heard this noise. I thought, “Uh oh… I’ve hit something.” I thought is was someone’s trash can or recycling bin or something. And then I looked in my rear view mirror and I saw it — I had hit a car.

I pulled over onto my side of the street and got out to see what damage I had done. You could see that I had definitely scraped their bumper. And of course, there was the feeling of, “Man… I can’t believe I did this.”

Our 14-year-old dog, Moe, is in the backseat of my car (getting his hair everywhere). We were heading out somewhere so he could stick his head out the window.

I head up to the house and ring the doorbell. I explain to my neighbor who answers the door what I have done. She tells me it is their nephew’s car and she calls for him. A young man who looks in his 20’s appears. I apologize to him and we walk out to the car to look at the damage.

He looks at it and says to me, “Man, don’t even worry about that. That isn’t anything. Don’t you even worry about it.” Now, it wasn’t a new car but you could easily see where I had scraped across his bumper.

I thanked him and told him I really appreciated it… and I walk back to my car where Moe is waiting.

What this young man showed me is what is called grace. Grace is unmerited favor.

The scrape was most assuredly noticeable and even with insurance, would have cost me several hundred dollars to have it fixed or if he simply wanted to collect on the insurance check. Yet, James extended to me love and grace. I am extremely thankful to him for his kindness and he is a living example of how we can treat one another.

I am thankful for the Grace that covers over my mistakes.

Jeff Becraft is the Executive Director for Youth Corps and has dedicated much of his life to helping shift the vision of people’s lives.  Youth Corps is a life-changing leadership development experience that inspires high school students to be leaders in the Midlands and beyond. You can connect with Jeff at [email protected].