Grace. God's grace. "Amazing", "Marvelous", "Unmerited favor", -we use many words to describe and define grace. One of Webster's many definitions of grace is "divine love and protection bestowed freely on people; the state of being protected or sanctified by the favor of God; an excellence or power granted by God." Protected, sanctified, loved, favored. Those words bring to the surface deep emotion. Especially when we look at the "material" He is bestowing His protection, love, favor, excellence and power on: broken , bruised, undeserving human beings.
If you've ever felt "disgraced" by anyone or anything, it conjures up all too many horrible feelings in contrast.
After listening to our friend Brad's online sermon, these words have been etched in my mind all
all week, "Justice is God's perogative, grace is our privilege." It's the privilege and mandate that Jesus gave us throughout Matthew chapter 5, but especially verses 28 and following. I love the way The Message version says it:
"Here's another old saying that deserves a second look: 'Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.' Is that going to get us anywhere? Here's what I propose: 'Don't hit back at all.' If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat. Live generously."
I live with a very gracious man and he demonstrates grace to me so often, waking me out of the stupor of just getting through another day to the beauty of intentional grace giving. He's had his experiences of being maligned and practicing the principles of Matthew 5, but I'm talking about something different. I'm talking about how he "bestows" love and favor on people in his daily life. He has lived grace before me in many ways this last few weeks. Here are some examples:
Papa Joao, one of the workers at the egg project,recently lost his 14 year old daughter to malaria. I am usually at a loss at a time like that, especially in this culture where death is so commonplace and people so stoic about it. My husband wrapped Papa Joao up in a warm and gracious embrace.
A young guy rear-ended our Mozovos vehicle one day. He was at fault. A little boy of about 5 in the other vehicle was afraid and crying. Instead of just dealing with the business at hand, Rodger picked the little boy up to comfort and reassure him.
A drunk was interfering with our weekly soccer game, going out on the field, being a loud mouth. He continued with this behavior after the game when one of our guys was giving his testimony to the young men from the community. Rodger sat with his arm around this foul-smelling drunk guy. The guy calmed right down and even rested his head on Rodger's shoulder.
What do you think all these people in our community will be doing from now on? They will be doing what I do; watching to see if this guy is for real and what makes him so different.
Hopefully, they will learn what God is like from him before we even open the Bible to share the gospel.
Hopefully, I will learn to "follow his example, as he follows the example of Christ." I Corinthians 11:1.
Just thanking God today for someone who is really important to me.
Thanks for reading.
Lynne
1 comment:
And may God in his gracious abundance, bless you futher for praising your husband, and looking each day and each week for the blessings that Rodger bestows upon those around you in your community. Truly he is a man to be admired by those that love him the very most. We are happy for you Lynne that you can see those blessings and use your husband as a Godly example to follow. No better role model than that can be found for your boys as well. Good to hear from you.
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