The Rudder

Maymer, my gramma, lived 2000 miles away. My visits with her are still fresh in my mind; racing her to the park when she was in her 80's and in high heels...I'd always win! We'd come back and sip on her "special juice", I later found out was Loganberry wine. One of the things I really enjoyed was when she'd hide silver coins-- coins were real silver back in the day. She always hid silver dollars in and around her house for me to find. Sometimes, especially later on when I was a little older, she would just put them in a piggy bank. Even though I really enjoyed the hunt and discovery, I still see her toothless grin from ear to ear as she relished seeing me caught up in the moment of the happiness her hidden treasures brought to me.

As we would drive across country to visit, I can't recall a moment of worry whether she was hiding coins or not. I was confident the times spent with her were going to be special. Later those times morphed from coins to going to a burger place that to this day just had the best Bacon Cheeseburgers on grilled Pumpernickel. To watch her toothlessly gum that burger was a treat in itself!

Isn't this is a small reflection of how we experience the grace of God? He loves us for who we are. He longs to spend time with us. He lavishes us with grace--gifts we don't deserve. And He delights in our response. When we take the time to thank Him, to enjoy His gifts and to share them with others, it brings Him joy- that's really what it's all about!