"That reminds me of the story Charles Stanley tells about a professor he once had who wanted to teach his students about grace. At the end of his course on evangelism, he passed out the final exam to his students, cautioning them to be sure to read it all the way through before they tried to answer any of the questions. The same warning was written on the front page of the test itself. As the students began to read the questions, it became very clear that the preparation each had taken for the exam wasn't nearly enough.

The questions got harder and harder and some of the test-takers groaned out loud. It was an impossible exam--that is, until the students got to the last page--where they discovered a note from the professor. It read: "You have a choice. you can either complete the exam as given or sign your name at the bottom and, in doing so, receive an A for this assignment."

The classroom got quiet as the stunned students thought about the choice. "Was he serious? Just sign it and get an A?" Slowly, they got the point, and one by one each student got up, turned in the test, and silently left the room.

Afterward Stanley talked with the professor about the test, and his teacher shared some of the reactions he had received through the years.

Some students began taking the exam without reading it all the way through, and they sweated it out for the entire two hours of class time before reaching the last page.

Others read the first couple of pages, bcame angry, turned the test in blank, and stormed out of the room without signing it. They never realized what was available, and as a result, they lost out totally.

One fellow, however, read the entire test, including the note at the end, but decided to take the exam anyway. He did not want any gifts; he wanted to earn his grade. And he did. he made a C+, but he could easily have had an A. (The Concept of Grace)

How many of us could easily scribble our name and leave willy-nilly? It would be hard, wouldn't it? Would you be suspicious, thinking there was some trick to it? Or would you be extremely grateful, accepting the grace extended to you with thanks and appreciation?

How many of us are like that last guy? Even when God puts His blessings right in front of us for the taking, we turn inward, stubbornly stepping over the blessing, determined to earn it ourselves. After all, what's yoru first response when someone does something nice for you? I need to return the favor.... What's your reaction when someone unexpectedly brings your a gift? Oh, I don't have a gift for her.....Now I have to go buy something. But God's gifts are given with grace; no hidden strings, no extra-duty list we have to check off. God's grace is free. God's blessings are free. We just have to accept them."

~ Debbie Macomber, Knit Together: Discover God's Pattern for Your Life