As I listen to August crickets outside, the pot starts to boil.
I add two dozen ears of corn to the rolling water and check this blog.
The end of this post has a video, and I decide to watch it.
This was grace – short film from Andrew Laparra on Vimeo.
Something about that man? He looks so familiar . .. who is he?
And suddenly I gasp.
Last winter, we attended a Pastor’s conference. This man was there. We had attended a break-out session with him and at the end, for some unknown reason, he sought us out.
He asked our names. Asked our story. We were drawn to him. Before we knew it, we were telling him about the loss of Annie, the ache in our heart, the difficulty of ministry in the midst of grief.
Right there, in the middle of a crowded hallway, he grabbed our hands and prayed for us. Not only did he pray for us then, but he wrote down our names, promising to hold us up in prayer regularly.
So today, I watch the video and I learn the life he lives. And I wonder, who am I that he should pray for ME? Who is he, that in the midst of such enormous trials, he would be so compassionate and caring for strangers?
That, my friends, is grace.
And it is Christ at work.
There is simply no other explanation.
As I recount our lives almost two years ago, the tears seem to slip down my cheeks more often than they have in awhile. I am healing, but I am still broken. But my Jesus knows just when to remind me of His grace on my journey. He gives me such good gifts.
So beautifully written, and beautifully shared in the video. God IS sufficient for all these needs — His grace is a beautiful thing to behold even in broken lives!
I am convinced that tears in the right time are very cleansing as I have experienced lately…. So, glad we are friends. This time of year brings back lots of memories shared with you. This "grace" is complex but beautiful. love you.
michelle
We talked about this VERY thing tonight at church. About how in comparison to the grace and compassion that Christ has shown me…how am I doing at reflecting that out from me to others? It was so eye opening for me…reminding me again how I am so unworthy of forgiveness for the things I have done against God and how tremendous it feels to have God wash it all away! It compells me to compassion for others…it compells me to show that grace and mercy and love to others just as God has done for me! Sometimes God just blows me away with His way of thinking! Love you guys and praying for you always! Tammy