Putting Up Hay

“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven” (Romans 4:9).

One summer, when I was in college, I worked on the Taussig Ranch near Kremmling, Colorado. One evening, tired and hungry after a long day of mowing hay, I drove the tractor into the yard and, acting like the hot dog I considered myself to be, cranked the steering wheel hard to the left, stamped on the left brake and spun the tractor around. 

The sickle was down and swept the legs out from under a 500 gallon gasoline tank standing nearby. The tank hit the ground with a resounding "CRUMP!" The seams split and all the gasoline spewed out.

Mr. Taussig was standing nearby surveying the scene. 

I got off the tractor, stammered an apology and—because it was the first thing that popped into my mind—offered to work the rest of the summer or the rest of my life—whatever came first—without pay. 

The old rancher stared at the wreckage for a moment, and turned toward the house. “Let’s go have supper,” He drawled.

A vaguely-remembered scrap of a story Jesus told passed through my mind—a story about a young man who had done a terrible thing: “Father, I have sinned against you” he cried… “Make me like one of your hired servants.”  But before he could get all the words out of his mouth his father interrupted him. “Let’s go have supper” he said (Luke 15:22-24). 

Such is God’s amazing grace.

David Roper

9.17.17