Grace2U A Three-Strand Cord

Grace Upon Grace Holy Spirit, please add meaning and understanding to the reading and interpretation of your Word. On winter evenings, I love a roaring fire. It eases the burden of winter’s icy blast. One year, much to my chagrin a load of unseasoned wood requires much coaxing and tending, and often will not burn down entirely at all. Frustrated, I purchase a small bundle of seasoned wood one night. Two leftover logs rest in the fireplace, and I toss the seasoned wood in with those stubborn remains of the last fire, setting the blaze. After a while, something amazing happens. With the encouragement of the easy-burning wood, these unseasoned logs now glow warmly – and without my usual poking, prodding, and persisting! Watching that fire, something strikes me. Perhaps God’s grace is like wood that lights most easily, and we are those stubborn logs. God pours forth this amazing abundance of unfailing love in grace, and we need the warm glow to touch the ashen places in our lives, consuming our stubborn, willful ways. “From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” (John 1:16 NRSV) for since “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:23-24 NIV.) Grace is the unfailing love of God. No one earns it. We cannot barter for it. Indeed, we most likely do not deserve it. We cannot make it go away - it is unfailing. It is grace. My closest witness to such grace was watching my Grandpa Porr’s engaging, demonstrative appreciation, respect and affection for each grandchild, his neighbors, community and friends. At the awkward age of eleven, I remember feeling particularly clumsy and shy with everyone else but Grandpa. This soul noticed my inelegance and drew me into conversation anyway. His eyes said I was one of the most fascinating persons on earth! Such moments of connection to GRACE create a foundation upon which one can receive the very grace of God. At his funeral, hearing from so many long-time friends and neighbors, I learned this knack for celebrating every person flowed from my Grandfather far beyond the boundaries of his kin. Thank God for the incredible gift of grace! Thank God for people who dare to blow on the embers of the flame of God’s unfailing love in life. Through them, the light of God’s love dances on, with warmth and light, igniting hope and possibilities. The flame of God’s love burns on and we come upon grace upon grace. Grace upon grace, indeed! *see Revelations 21:1-4