How To Respond To Grace

I've heard it said, "never ask for what you deserve or you just might get what you ask for". In our relationship with God, the Bible is clear that there's nothing we can do to "deserve" His love. His love must be received as a gift...something that cannot be earned. Since we are all sinners, what we deserve is condemnation. Fortunately, those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of sins receive His mercy and grace! We don't get what we deserve, but we receive what we desperately need!

So how should we respond to the gift of God's grace? I believe it honors God if we turn to our neighbors and give them our compassion and love. As a recipient of God's grace, who is in a better position to give it to others?

I received the following note from Janie, our Nurse Practitioner, that exemplifies the attitude of loving service that I believe honors God for the grace He has given us.

We went out to the local Domestic Violence Center last night. We never know what will await us. Some faces are familiar, with the families staying up to a year in some cases. Some faces are new and unfamiliar to us, etched in anxiety, worry, fear. Many still bearing "the battle scars" of what brought them there....fractures, bruises...abrasions. The little ones are precious. A thundering herd of children is usually found frolicking up and down the halls. Gaile (one of our RN's) and I were greeted at the front door by a little one who excitedly cried out, "The nurse is here!" The line started to form early, restless kids, moms trying to quiet and calm them, staff checking in often for any needs that we might have. Opportunities to share the mission and work of the Lexington Rescue Mission. We always hand the mothers one of our information sheets and let her know where we are coming from in service.

Last night we saw about 7 mothers and children. The last mom was a woman, French speaking. I speak enough Spanish to be passable (dolar?), and French left over from a couple of years in high school and college. I got that she thought she had the flu, but thanks to the translator who jumped in to help! We offer to pray with the moms who would like that.

We are always greeted warmly by the staff, so appreciated on these cold winter days.

We walked out of there (I think Gaile would agree) humbled, grateful and realizing that these women truly have a safe refuge in the midst of such a stormy time in their life. We went on home to a late supper (about 10 pm for me), warm bed, heat and all the comforts we could want.

So many don't have the same.

Lord help me today to serve with a humble heart, spread the Good News of the Gospel, and reach out to others who are less fortunate....not forgetting the days that I was the one who was less fortunate.

In Christ,

Janie

It's a little easier being an instrument of God's grace when we remember all that God has done for us. He could have just left us in our sin and His just condemnation. But, instead, He chose to give us His only Son to pay the price for our sin. Let's praise Him by both our lips and by what we do for others!