by Sharon Luckenbaugh 

 

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

 

In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. (Ephesians 1:7-8)

 

Lately in my leisurely reading there has been an underlying theme of God’s grace. Maybe it’s the Holy Spirit gently nudging me to extend that same grace to some squirrelly kids at school, the impatient driver who was riding my bumper on the way to work, and the loved ones God has blessed me with. Grace is God’s free gift of unmerited favor and love to those who accept Him. Receiving the grace of God does not mean we simply live our lives as we please, being thankful that we’re forgiven. Those who accept His free gift of salvation are instructed to extend grace to others.

 

In Max Lucado’s book, Grace, More than We Deserve, Greater than We Imagine, the author describes the horrible massacre of innocent Amish children while attending the West Nickel Mines Amish School in Lancaster County, PA. As neighbors to Lancaster, you may recall the tragic event of October 2, 2006. In the days that followed, I remember watching the news and hearing local and national commentators express amazement over the Amish community’s testimony of grace. They remained peaceful and composed, while extending kindness and forgiveness. Lucado writes, “Half of those in attendance of the shooter’s funeral were Amish. An Amish midwife, who helped deliver several of the schoolgirls who died, prepared a meal for the shooter’s family.”

 

Our world asks, “How could they do that in the midst of great loss, hurt, and grief?”

 

Lucado explains, “Grace is not blind. It sees the hurt full well. But grace chooses to see God’s forgiveness even more. It refuses to let hurts poison the heart. Where grace is lacking, bitterness abounds. Where grace abounds, forgiveness grows.”

 

Lucado references Hebrews 12:15, See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. The Amish community, despite the painful loss of loved ones, demonstrated God’s grace to the world in powerful and practical ways.

 

For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father” Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son.” (Hebrews 1:1-5)

 

Jesus is everything!
Amen