Life by Grace Alone

My whole adult life and perhaps longer I have been an expert at losing things. Money, keys, my glasses, my favorite pen, a comb, a certain jacket, or the right shoes - the list is endless. I wish I could say once found, always found. Most of the time I can't say that, especially when it comes to glasses and keys. These thoughts were far from my mind last Saturday when my conscientious husband called me with the surprise suggestion that he stop his duties at noon and we would go eat down town. We talked about a number of things but our conversation was peppered with comments about his upcoming trip to Uganda. This was to be our return trip after six years. Our memories of the places and the people are rich. Although our missionaries would be gone, there are still a number of strong Ugandan Christians who would act as anchors for our time there. Other factors came into play and the decision was made that he will go alone. Although I know it is not so, I have this irrational idea that...

Thank God it doesn't stop. Grace permeates every day. God's unmerited favor abounds in our lives. It starts of course with God's forgiveness of our sins. The fact that the all powerful God who is just and merciful would form a plan with the trinity to preserve His people, overwhelms us. How could he love us with such fierceness in spite of our sin? In the plan of redemption every part of the trinity Father, Son, and Holy Ghost demonstrates loving care for those sinners God has chosen. We have a four year old granddaughter named Grace. She understands very little of the meaning of her name but she loves her name anyway. Her granddad is a minister. On a couple occasions she has called him Pastor Poppop. During every sermon when he says the word grace, you know the kind of grace that should be in all capitols, Grace perks up and turns to a parent and says in a stage whisper, "Poppop said my name." , her voice filled with wonder. Wonder will continue to be her respon...

This morning I went to the supermarket with my granddaughter , Grace and her mom, my daughter Jessica. We had just come out of the store. Grace had stayed with her mother during the shopping trip. Although Jessica is in the second trimester of her pregnancy and she thought she could handle Grace's free spirit method of shopping. (Everything that strikes her fancy might go in the cart.), by the time we were ready to leave it was obvious that Grace had pushed her own agenda way too much. Since Grace seemed to be calm as we were loading the car. I thought this might be a teachable moment. "Grace", I asked "When you disobey what happens? Do you get frustrated or hurt?" Ah what a wise Nana, a simple principle. When you disobey bad things can happen. She ignored me. I asked the question a second time. This time she did not hesitate. With eyebrows raised and shoulders tense, she threw out her answer. " I get mad at Mommy and God and Daddy." Her mother and I w...

Have you ever thought how much wiser we would be if we took to heart some of the words mothers are saying to their young children? My granddaughter, Grace is 4 years old. Ever since her second birthday when her vocabulary seemed to increase dramatically overnight, my daughter began to respond to the first sign of frustration, pain, or anger from Grace with one command. "Use your words." This is the first step to unknitting eyebrows,eliminating stomping, and hushing wailing. I've been amazed at the transformation from indignant daughter to initially reluctant but agreeable child, all because she chooses the right words to communicate her problem. Sounds simple enough, doesn't it? If it truly is simple, why do we as adults find it so hard to do? How many times have you been puzzled about why a friend doesn't speak to you but you don't try to speak to her and you may even be less ready to speak to her the next time? Another day a friend tells you she has develope...