I met Grace several, several years ago. She was polite, friendly and quaint. She showed up on a breezy afternoon, smile on her face and luggage in tow. She was requesting a room; nothing fancy, nothing large, just a room. She told me she loved my home and would love to reside there. All she desired was a room in my home, a permanent place in my heart. I was polite, told her it was nice to meet her. We spoke of the beautiful day we were having, chatted a bit and then explained my heart of rooms were booked up; there was no vacancy for her, no vacancy for Grace.
Grace smiled at me said it was nice to meet me and walked to the curb and politely sat down. She tucks her skirt under her knees bows her head and begins to pray. Others passed by her, some stop to chat, others sat with her. I continued living my life, running through my days never once stopping to chat with Grace. I'd see her from time to time look over her shoulder from the curb, wave and smile at me. There were days I'd wave back, other days I pretended not to notice. I still had no room for Grace. My rooms were full with doubt, fear, rejection, anger and unforgiveness.
There were days when my whole world seemed to crumble on cue. I'd pray, cry and beg God to fix my world. I'd look out my window and sitting on the curb was Grace. I began to notice situations and circumstances changing in my life. I look out my window and Grace is still there, however she now has a large amount of people sitting with her. And they are all waving and smiling at me. I slowly open my door and walk outside along with fear and doubt peeking around the corner. Rejection and anger are crawling behind them and Unforgivness is right behind them all.
I am amazed at those sitting with Grace; there were many who I had hurt with my words, those who I had hurt with my actions, there were even those who had hurt me. I can see others who had made bad choices and had fallen in life but I had not made time for; some who I had criticized harshly and those who I had judged. They are all smiling and waving me to come over and join them. I shake my head no. Grace is now standing in front of me. My tears are now flowing. My sobs are uncontrolled, as I tell Grace in the smallest voice I can muster, “I don't deserve you, for my house is ugly and full of shame.” Shame has now popped his ugly head out as the others begin to retreat.
I look at the ground unable to look in Grace's eyes, my tears hit the concrete and my sobs are now coming harder. Grace takes my hand raises my head and softly whispers, “I love your house and I love you just as you are. It is through me you have unmerited favor with the Father.” Grace is God showing his love for me even though I do not deserve it. Grace is a gift from our daddy God!