The riches of grace

July 6, 2021

Dear parents and families,

Now that we have completed our run through Paul’s Letters to the Corinthians and we have started his Letter to the Ephesians, you’ll note a new theme: grace. Going back about four months, during the season of Lent, I wrote a post about grace referencing a verse from Ephesians.

This week, Paul says to the Ephesians “He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ...to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us” (Eph 1:6-7). Freely bestowed, riches of grace. I am a big believer in the idea of grace: it is unmerited, undeserved, freely given. No matter what we do, God will show us the grace of loving us unconditionally. How cool is that?

It can be so hard to show others grace. I don’t know about you, but when I experience pain or hurt, my initial reaction is to put on my armor of self-defense: I tend to become angry, lash out, or shrink into myself. It is easier, but it is not better. Showing others the grace that God shows me everyday is what draws me closer to Christ, who gave himself up for me: the ultimate act of grace.

As I said in my post way back in Lent during the dreary March days, God was not obligated to save us. God was not obligated to show us grace. However, when we say the Baptismal Covenant, we are reminded of the need to show others grace. The unmerited, freely bestowed, riches of God’s grace will permeate the fabric of our lives when we give it to others the way it has been given to us. It draws us nearer to Christ, it opens our hearts, and it makes us love one another just a little bit more.

Some guiding questions as you move through the (rather hot) week ahead:

• What is your favorite part of the Baptismal Covenant? Why?
• How can you show someone grace this week?
• How can you show yourself grace this week?
• When times get tough, what is something you can do to remind yourself of God’s grace?

Rev. Barb and I are here to offer pastoral care and support to you and your families during this time. My door, email, and phone are always open.

Gracefully, prayerfully, and in Christ always,

Anne Alexis