Look did you take the money, don’t lie to me boy. If you took the money tell me the truth now. She raised her voice at her son. Mama I didn’t take it I swear. Then where did you get money to go to the store and buy that junk you were eating? I didn’t give you any money? Bobby was sitting remembering when his mom caught him stealing money from his older sister and lying about it.
Before he knew it his mother whom was shorter than he, had snatched him in his shirt collar and had him in the air. His feet was dangling, not touching the ground. The look in her eyes was one he had never seen and it scared him. His sister whom he had stolen the money from ran to their mother calling her, “mama, mama”, please put him down, your’e going to choke him. I don’t need the money it’s not that important, she cried
He watched his mother’s eyes changed as her face changed and she eased him back down to the ground. His mother almost choked the life out of him that day for stealing and then lying about it. His feelings were hurt just thinking about it because of what he had done.
He heard glass and gun shots and then felt glass on his face and arms. It took a minute for things to sink in. He was frantic when he looked up and realized that some guys in another car were shooting at them. His friend pulled the car over and they all started checking on one another. Bobby, are you ok? Yeah, I’m good, everybody ok? Yeah we’re good. What’s up with this. They were all frantic now and wanting revenge.
Bobby had been through some pretty rough situations in his life growing up. He had done some pretty bad things as well. He couldn’t help but think about the time he had was fighting his ex girlfriend in his mother’s house. His mother was trying to stop the fight and because he was angry and in a rage he pushed his mom. There were a lot of things he regretted and this was definitely one of them.
One night they were all hanging out in front of his mom’s house. They noticed a car that kept riding up and down the cross street. A few minutes later the car came slow rolling down the main street. His middle sister, which was his ride or die was out there hanging with him. She jumped right up beside him, ready for what ever, she always had his back. He was ready but scared at the same time because she jumped up in front of him. He thought they were going to do a drive by as they let the window down but instead they just looked and kept going.
Bobby realized there were many, many situations in his past where it could’ve been his last. The thought that he had put himself or someone close to him in harms way without thinking of the consequences shook him. He now knows that because of God’s Grace his life was spared and the people around him was spared in each and every situation.
He was so grateful for each opportunity to share his experiences of God’s Grace with others. The thought that dangers seen and unseen come against us and yet we are protected by God’s Grace is enough to praise him alone. He often thought of his mom and wondered if she was proud, knowing he has a relationship with God.
Because of God’s Grace my life was spared, Because of God’s Grace I was given another chance to live life, Because of God’s grace the thing that should’ve killed me only made me stronger, Because of God’s grace I am
A BRAND NEW KIND OF ME