A Tambourine Shows Grace

A Tambourine Shows Grace


Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. “What have I done to deserve such kindness?” she asked. “I am only a foreigner . . .”
Ruth 2:10 NEW LIVING TRANSLATION


I had this really cool job at a musical instruments store. I loved being around all the drums, keyboards and sound gear. Musicians are a funny bunch and I wanted to be in that group. I worked for a man everyone called Uncle Rick. He was about 6’ 2” and had a full grey beard. He always wore a denim hat, matching shirt and jeans. I always wondered if he had hair under that hat. I also wondered if he had stock in Levi’s or something. He NEVER wore anything other than denim. Anyhow, I was having this conversation with a lady that was waiting for her son to finish guitar lessons. I asked her, “Do you play any instruments?”
She replied, “No, but I always wished I had played percussion. Like a tambourine. I always liked that sound.”
“Why don’t you try one?” I said.
“Oh dear, I would be so embarrassed . . .”
I placed one in her hand. She liked it.
Meanwhile, Uncle Rick was listening to our whole conversation. He walked over, took the tambourine from her hand, removed the tag and handed it back to her. Then he walked over to the cash register, paid for it and walked away. He didn’t utter a single word. The woman and I stood there silently trying to collect our thoughts, or I should say pulling our emotions together. She had tears in her eyes as she asked me how he could do that. She said, “I don’t deserve this. Why would he do this? I can’t accept this. Why did he do that?”
I told her, “It is a gift. Maybe you should just accept it.” She did not know that I too was confused. Other than one other time in my life, I did not recall being so shocked and awakened to undeserved kindness. Maybe that is how grace works? It is shocking, unexpected, undeserved and for God’s own pleasure. It’s odd how a tambourine can show grace.