I wanted to share a quick story I was reminded of by my grandmother, Nana, at lunch the other day.
For those who knew me growing up, you know that I was a child full of energy....lots and lots of energy. One afternoon, while at my grandparents, I was expending some of this energy...in their sun room...with a ball. See where this is going?
Well, after a few minutes, it happened. The ball collided with the fragile lamp on the end table shattering it to the hard floor.
This sound was like a dinner bell to hungry people, only it was a broken lamp and the people were my family members who feared what they would find.
They found a shattered lamp and a very sorry me, who never planned to break the lamp, it was just a matter of time.
While most had very normal reactions "Why did you do this?" "You knew better." "We told you not to."
And while all of these responses were completely appropriate, Nana's was not.
During all the crazy, Nana grabbed my hand and took me to her room.
Things did not look good for me.
But upon entering her room, she sat me down and kneeled before me and said, "I want you to know that my love is so much bigger for you than a lamp. I am not mad, but I love you and it is ok."
WOW! This story is exactly what God's grace is. Grace is love beyond anything else, grace is undeserved and unmerited love; grace is a God who loves us, period.
My response to Nana in this moment of grace was one of pure relief and love: "Look at the wallpaper, see all the hearts? This is how much I love you, Nana!"
Too often we hear words of correction and judgement. While none of us are perfect, God doesn't care, God's love for us is so much bigger than a lamp, and our response can't help but be one of love and relief.
My questions to you, is what lamp has been blocking your ability to feel this love?
Hear the good news, that God's love for you is so much bigger than....
Go now and share this grace with the world as Nana did with me.
-Chris
For those who knew me growing up, you know that I was a child full of energy....lots and lots of energy. One afternoon, while at my grandparents, I was expending some of this energy...in their sun room...with a ball. See where this is going?
Well, after a few minutes, it happened. The ball collided with the fragile lamp on the end table shattering it to the hard floor.
This sound was like a dinner bell to hungry people, only it was a broken lamp and the people were my family members who feared what they would find.
They found a shattered lamp and a very sorry me, who never planned to break the lamp, it was just a matter of time.
While most had very normal reactions "Why did you do this?" "You knew better." "We told you not to."
And while all of these responses were completely appropriate, Nana's was not.
During all the crazy, Nana grabbed my hand and took me to her room.
Things did not look good for me.
But upon entering her room, she sat me down and kneeled before me and said, "I want you to know that my love is so much bigger for you than a lamp. I am not mad, but I love you and it is ok."
WOW! This story is exactly what God's grace is. Grace is love beyond anything else, grace is undeserved and unmerited love; grace is a God who loves us, period.
My response to Nana in this moment of grace was one of pure relief and love: "Look at the wallpaper, see all the hearts? This is how much I love you, Nana!"
Too often we hear words of correction and judgement. While none of us are perfect, God doesn't care, God's love for us is so much bigger than a lamp, and our response can't help but be one of love and relief.
My questions to you, is what lamp has been blocking your ability to feel this love?
Hear the good news, that God's love for you is so much bigger than....
Go now and share this grace with the world as Nana did with me.
-Chris
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