Stories of Grace: The World's Most Precious Commodity

A week ago as my day at work came to an end, I received a phone call from a business associate. "I have a review with my boss tomorrow and I was wondering if you could write her an e-mail about my performance." I was taken aback by her request not only because it was on such short notice, but also because her performance on our project, or lack thereof, had been the source of much anxiety and stress.

I got off the phone and wasn't sure what to do. So I pulled up a chat session with several Christian co-workers to ask for their thoughts. As I explained the situation to the group, their common reply was that I should not give a recommendation, but that I should call her to explain my hesitancy.

After ending our chat session, I started to draft out some notes for my conversation. I then dialed her number, with a prayer to God for His assistance. When she answered, I graciously explained to her, using my notes, that I was not in a position to write her a review at this time. She however, again to my surprise, persisted and asked if I could just "write a few lines" to her boss.

As she spoke, I sensed the Holy Spirit beginning to nudge me a bit, "Can't you say anything kind about her?" I started to realize that my assessment of her was too harsh and my expectations may have been too high. So I kindly agreed to write her boss a few words of appreciation and did so before I left the office that night.

The next day when I got into the office I had an e-mail in my inbox from this woman's boss. She thanked me for my comments and said she thought the world of this co-worker! Now, I was a bit perturbed. I thought, "If it wasn't enough to give this lady a kind review, now her boss agrees with my comments!" I wasn't sure what God was trying to teach me through this situation, but He soon made it clear.

Fast-forward one week.

I had an appointment to meet with a pastor at my church for breakfast to fellowship and talk about life. I occasionally meet with this man who is older, wiser and has been through the seasons of family life that I now traverse. I put a reminder of this meeting in my calendar at work and read it just before leaving the office.

The next morning, when I was to meet with the pastor, I was sitting at my kitchen table praying and reading my Bible. My wife walked in the room and asked when I was leaving for my breakfast. A feeling of shock, dread and "OH NO!" hit me all at once. I had totally forgotten all about my breakfast appointment and it was now a half hour past the time we were to meet! I ran to my phone book, called the restaurant and spoke to the waitress who I could tell sensed that I was the culprit and said, "He already left. He waited about a half hour for you."

I felt mortified. What a gaffe on my part! I got in touch my pastor as soon as possible to apologize for my mistake. And of course, he graciously forgave me. Immediately, I was reminded of the review I had given a week before to my co-worker and I sensed God speaking to me, making me aware of my own need for grace.

It's not always easy to show people grace, it feels like we're letting them off the hook for something they deserve. At the same time, it's a wonderful feeling to receive grace. It's refreshing, like ice cream on a hot summer day. I'm convinced that grace is the world's most precious commodity - everyone needs it, but so few people want to give it. The demand is high, the supply is terribly low.

While the world tells us to "toughen up" and give people what they deserve, God's Word says, "For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment." (James 2:13) Some day when we meet Jesus, I highly doubt he will ever say, "You were too gracious, too kind and way too benevolent." No! I sense that He will laugh and dance with us as we celebrate the grace He showed each of us and the grace we then went on to share with others.

"He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8) Amen.

Turning Your Frustration Into Fruit

Well the US elections have come to a close, thank God! No more political campaigning for another 4 (well maybe 2) years.

I have no desire in making this website, nor this blog a politically biased medium. My focus is on the Bible. But I know some friends in the Lord who were disappointed with the recent election results because they feel that their values, namely those of being pro-life, will not be honored with the future administration.

These people are good, loving Christians who have a real hatred for abortion and care for children. Many of them feel like they've lost the battle and that the days ahead will be ones of sorrow.

So, I'd like to put the politics aside and just share a word about this matter. I will specifically use the "abortion issue", but you can replace this issue with any other policy that you don't agree with in your own country, state, or city.

It's true that the law of the land could change to make abortion at all stages of pregnancy a legal practice. I agree that this would be horrific. But do realize that making abortion legal is one thing, having an abortion is another. What I mean to say is that the real mission is about people, woman, who are looking at an unexpected and undesired pregnancy and feel like they have no where to turn.

You see, the ministry opportunity is still available. Woman are still in need. They feel desperate, alone, scared and helpless. And many who are in this state of emotional turmoil make the choice to end their pregnancy. While I can't agree with this decision, I can empathize with a woman, especially one who is young and unwed.

So while I understand it may be natural to feel upset about the laws of your land, it is obligatory to turn your focus off of the larger governmental laws and turn them onto the individuals who are in need. If your passion about this issue is from God, then it must be followed up with action, or in other words, compassion.

So, wipe the tears from your eyes if your president of choice was not elected and go wipe the tears from the eyes of a woman who is contemplating abortion. Make a sacrifice in your budget and help sponsor your local pregnancy help center. Pray for the children and for the thousands of woman who will make this decision in the years ahead. Do something. Anything. And make a difference in someone's life.

The point I want to make here is not really about politics, or even abortion. It's about practically living out our Christian faith in the world around us. It's as James says, "(being) doers of the Word and not hearers only" knowing that "faith without works is dead." (James 1:22, James 2:14-26)

It's time to move on and turn our frustration into fruit.

Amen.