Something's Bugging Me

 Saved by Grace…Thank God

Theology in the Trenches

by Kathleen Kjolhaug

 

“Remember who you are…not a special being made up in heaven, but a sinner saved by grace.” O. Chambers.

How often both sides of this statement enters into the thought process. Life is a gift, helps illustrate how the grafting begins to the One True Vine. Being grandma now, it’s hard to picture the second phase of that statement. One of our grandchildren is approaching two, and I’m getting glimpses into human nature which taunts.

I was caring for the little one for an afternoon. As I saw her heading in a direction she was not to go, the first “no” came out of grandma’s mouth. Pausing, she stopped. Mere seconds later, she looked directly at me and proceeded down the same path awaiting my response. When she heard “no” again, she stopped only to begin again…testing boundaries in obedience. I witnessed my little one needing grace…just like the rest of the clan to which she belongs.

As I write, we await another little being made up in heaven. Within hours she will receive mercy and love and grace. Love flows naturally from our hearts to hers simply because of her arrival into this world.  The mercy will be given from her mother because of the physical pain while entering. Grace extends unsurprisingly from mother to baby. So, too, does our Heavenly Father extend such grace from any and all pain we’ve cause.

Baby turns to mamma and cleaves. We turn to our Father and cleave…for it was while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Helpless estate in which we are…like a baby with dependent demanding cries…wanting what we want when we want it. So much so do we depend upon mercy and grace that we need it for the very next breath.

As babies cry, as couples yell, as words spoken from loved ones hurt…grace abounds. As sure as we are of our faith in Him, unbelief comes through lack of trust…and grace abounds. As we tumble into unexpected turbulence with neighbors, a cold shoulder here, and lack of friendship there…grace abounds. As the past pushes its way into the present ugliness of situations…no one understanding the other’s reaction or why they do what they do…grace abounds.

Knowing full well that all has been covered so we may merely live the moment without having to seize the day...offers respite. For, in the end, it is about Him, not about us…and when pride forgets this…grace abounds. And, lest we forget, may we give as much grace as we have received.  Amen.