LIVING IN THE PRESENCE – Celebrating God’s Grace

FRIDAY May 29

Psalm 100

Luke 15 : 25 – 32
Acts 3 : 1 – 9
1 Thessalonians 5 : 16 – 18

There is something about the story of the prodigal son that grabs my attention and speaks to my heart each time I encounter it. The stay at home son speaks to the dutiful daughter’s heart of mine with understanding and cautions me about resentfulness. The prodigal son speaks to my restless heart and cautions me about building walls of isolation and reminds me that it is never too late to turn around, ask for forgiveness and return home. It is the Father’s voice that inspires me to let go of the balance sheets of success and failures and to love with compassion, forgiveness and acceptance. To simply love.

I seek to embrace the way of love but often I fall short. Yet time and time again I find myself embraced by the unconditional love of God. When I recognize this gift of God’s grace, my heart is lifted in gratitude.

Last year I unintentionally hurt a friend as she was going thorough a crisis in her own life. When I realized that I had hurt her deeply I apologized. When I went to her home, my heart was filled with sorrow for my mistake and worry about how my action would effect our friendship. As I walked up her driveway, the front door flew open and she ran to greet me with out stretched arms. She embraced me with forgiveness, acceptance and love. Together we sat and shared a meal, a celebration of grace, a gift of God for which I am forever thankful.

L. Wheler

For Reflection and Journaling:

1. When have I experienced the gift of God’s grace through an other’s words or actions?
2. How might I celebrate God’s grace more intentionally?

Meditative Prayer:

Loving God, Father and Mother of us all,
Help me recognize your grace and embrace the way of love, so that I might know the fullness of your joy. Amen.