FOODFORTHOUGHT

There was a class of young people that no teacher was able to handle.
Two or three teachers had been run off from school this year by these
young people. Finally a young man out of college heard about the class
and applied to the school. The principal asked the young man "Do you
not know what you are asking for, no one has been able to handle these
young people, you are just asking for a terrible beating." After a few
moments of silent prayer, the young man looked at the principal and
said "Sir, with your consent I accept the challenge, just give me a trial
basis."

The next morning the young man reported for class. He said to the
class "Young people, I came here today to conduct school, but I realize I
can't do it by myself, I must have your help. One big boy, they called
Big Tom, in the back of the room whispered to his buddies" I'll not
need any help, I can lick that little bird all by myself." The young
teacher told the class if they are to have school, there will have to be some
rules to go by. He also added that he will allow the students to make
up the rules and he will list them on the blackboard. One young man
suggested "NO STEALING". Another one shouted "BE ON TIME FOR CLASS."
Pretty soon they had 10 rules listed on the board. The teacher had
then asked the class what the punishment should be for breaking these
rules. Rules are no good unless they are enforced. Someone in the
class suggested that if the rules were broken, they should receive 10
licks with a rod across their back with their coat off. The teacher
thought that was pretty harsh, and asked the class would they stand by
this punishment. The class agreed.

Everything went pretty good for two or three days. Finally Big Tom
came in one day very upset. He reported that someone had stolen his lunch.
After talking with the students they came to the conclusion that Little
Jim had stolen Big Tom's lunch. The teacher called Little Jim up to
the front of the room and asked him to remove his coat. That little fellow
came up the aisle with a great big coat on. Little Jim approached the
teacher and said " I am guilty and am willing to take my punishment but
please don't make me take off my coat." The teacher reminded Little
Jim of the rules and their punishments and asked him again to remove
his coat and take his punishment like a man. That little fellow started to
unbutton that old coat, and the teacher saw that he did not have a
shirt on under the coat. The teacher asked Little Jim why he came to school
without a shirt on. Little Jim said "My daddy's dead and my mother is
very poor, I don't have but one shirt and my mother is washing it
today. I wore big brother's coat to keep my little body warm."

That young teacher stood and looked at the frail back and wondered how
he could lay a rod on that little back without even a shirt on. He knew
if he didn't enforce the punishment, the children would not obey the
rules, so as he drew back to strike Little Jim, Big Tom came down the
aisle. Big Tom asked "Can I take Little Jim's whipping for him" The
teacher agreed and Big Tom ripped his coat off and stooped over and the
teacher began to lay the rod on that big back. But for some strange
reason after only five licks, that old rod just broke in half. The
young teacher buried his face in his hands and began to sob. He heard
a commotion and looked up to find not even one dry eye in the room.
Little Jim had run and grabbed Big Tom around the neck, apologizing to him for
stealing his lunch, and explained that he was so very hungry. Little
Jim begged Big Tom to forgive him. He told Big Tom that he would love
him till the day he died for taking his whipping for him. Aren't you
glad that Jesus took our whipping for us, that He shed his precious
blood on Calvary so that we can have eternal life in Glory with Him?
We are unworthy of the price He paid for us, but aren't you glad He loves
us that much?

PRAYER
"Give me, O Lord, a steadfast heart which no unworthy thought can drag downwards; an unconquered heart which no tribulation can wear out; an upright heart which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside. Bestow upon me also, O Lord my God, understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and a faithfulness that may finally embrace you; through Jesus Christ, our Lord." (Prayer of Thomas Aquinas)

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