“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,

as God in Christ has forgiven you.”–Ephesians 4:32

In this blog, I am using the term “grace” in a broad sense. That is intentional and reflects my understanding of the variety of times when we receive a gift in those everyday encounters of life. Yet in Christian theology, grace refers first to undeserved divine mercy as it relates to salvation. The beloved hymn “Amazing Grace” reflects that primary definition. I give thanks for that gift from God as well as the countless times I have received grace from others. Over the course of this blog, I will talk about such occasions, too. Let me share my first memory of that kind of human grace.

One day when I was nine years old, Jimmy Dixon and I were working on some project. Jimmy was my next-door neighbor and best friend. On this particular occasion, whatever we were working on”required” permanent markers. After scouring our two homes, we came up empty and considered our options before making a bad choice. For instead of asking a parent to take us to the nearest store to purchase markers or to just change our plans, one of us suggested that we steal the permanent markers. Whether the idea came from Jimmy or me, it was clearly my idea that we just take them from our church.

To my 9 year old way of thinking, such a plan held little risk. Since I was the minister’s son, I knew exactly where to find the markers. That family tie also meant that my presence around the building on a summer weekday would not raise any suspicion. So without further discussion, we acted.  I led Jimmy to the church supply room, grabbed the markers and dashed outside. We ran down steps that led to the woods (escape route seen above) separating our congregation and our neighborhood.  As we ran, someone from the church building yelled “Come back here!” We didn’t, but I knew I was in trouble.

When my father arrived home later, he asked me about the incident. I quickly confessed and handed over the goods and promised never to do it again. Dad accepted my apology and said that my mother and he would figure out my punishment later. Yet then he added that I would be going with him to church the next day, that I would give the markers to Mrs. C, our Director of Christian Education, and tell her what I had done. 

After a sleepless night, I walked with him down a church hallway that seemingly had doubled in length. Upon seeing her, though, my well-rehearsed apology dissolved in tears. I couldn’t speak, but just held out the markers, ready for the scolding I deserved.  Yet Mrs. C looked at me and said “You just meant to borrow these didn’t you?”  Even a 9 year-old understood she was giving me an out and I meekly nodded. She then added “Anytime you want to borrow these again, just let me know.”          

Mrs. C knew what I had done. She likely suspected I wasn’t going to repeat that mistake again though I do still have an affinity for that brand of permanent marker.  Yet even though clearly in the wrong, I received a gift I did not deserve or expected. That’s grace. 

Given that story from my past I have two questions for you. When was the second time (God’s gift being the first) you received grace? And who is it, that needs to hear that word from you?

Gracious Creator, you have extended countless blessings to us; ones we do not deserve. Help me, today, identify and extend that same gift to someone else. Amen.