It had been a weird day at work. As I zoned out at the stoplight, I was replaying events in my mind, solving future problems, reading bumper stickers, noting my phone lighting up, background music playing. And then, a prelude of sounds shook me out of the vacuum of distraction. A thud, the crushing of metal, the breaking of plastic, and I realized my brain and right foot had had a miscommunication. And I was to blame.
As she jumped out of her vehicle unharmed, she smiled at me as I peeled myself out of mine, the quick turn of events humbling me. She began asking questions and calling the police, and I was thankful for her lead. She was so pleasant about it all. Grace.
The police officer arrived with a humored smirk on his face, “What happened?” he asked, unable to entirely hold back his amusement. Without a good answer, I sheepishly joined him with a grin. I observed how he was just so kind. Grace.
I limped home, apologizing to Shimmer (yes, my truck has a name) for the undeserved punch in the face and dreading seeing my husband. I arrived home before he did; therefore, I promptly made a latte to greet him at the door. (Of course, gifting of the latte is the typical procedure for welcoming him home from work.)
As he walked in the door and gladly accepted the drink, he asked with a wink, “How bad is it?” and proceeded to hug me. Grace.
Somebody was supposed to yell at me, tell me what an idiot I had been, at least been frustrated and annoyed at the disruption I had caused, but all I got was grace. This giving of grace is salvation, displayed in real life. We don’t get what we deserve. We gain freedom where there should be chains. We get forgiveness where there should be condemnation. He brings life when there should be death.
I was the recipient of so much grace, and it left me feeling humbled, grateful, and so blessed. I want to hang on to this feeling. The feeling of unworthiness is a beautiful reminder of the grace God extends to me every moment through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ. I will continue to accept His grace and any bestowed upon me by His disciples. And I will remember next time when extending grace is up to me to give it freely.