Her name was Grace.  She was unremarkable looking and so was often overlooked. You could walk right by her and never know it. Even the people who knew her tended to take advantage of her or take her for granted.  “Oh, Grace will understand,” they’d say when they would be careless with their words or actions towards her.  And the amazing part was that she did understand.  Though she had been used and abused throughout her life, Grace could see through people’s actions and words, straight to their heart.

She always seemed to be at the right place at the right time.  Not that any one would notice.  She was there at times of loss, times of regret, times of stress and great sorrow.  She would extend her hand to give the hurting ones help up, offering them a hug, a shoulder, a kiss.  But most often, it was as if she was invisible.  Grace, right there in the middle of the pain, ready to heal, but completely dismissed.  Ignored.  Misunderstood.  And she never stopped showing up.

Grace, for all that she had been through and endured, was a great forgiver.  She was not afraid to take on the worst offense, the ugliest circumstance and throw herself at it.  It was as if her body could absorb the guilt, the regret, the pain from others. When people realized what she had done, they would thank her.  Most of them any way.  But time would soon erase the poignancy of her selfless act and they would carry on as if she had done nothing for them at all.  And Grace would weep.  And she would not give up.

And then there were those few who really understood Grace.  Those that could see her, not as invisible or unremarkable, but as breathtakingly beautiful and precious.  They had experienced her loving touch at their time of need and had NOT forgotten.  They would thank her continuously for “saving their lives”,  for healing their hearts, and for understanding their pain.  And Grace would humbly smile.  It was like breathing for her to do such things.  It was what she was made for.

But thanks did not feel like enough to these people.  Their gratitude was too great for mere words.  And so they would ask Grace what more could they do to show their undying thankfulness?    Her answer was simple.  She said, “Touch other’s lives as I have touched yours.  Forgive as I have forgiven.  Understand as I have understood.  Love as I have loved.  When others see you, let them see me.  And if they don’t see you, if they ignore you or hurt you or take you for granted,  just stand with me and we will keep doing this thing together.  You and Grace.”

If you haven’t already, you really should meet Grace.  She is right there, ready to hold out her hand to you.  Ready to forgive.  To heal.  To love.  She’s been there all the time and she’d love to walk with you, once you have come to know her, and touch the lives of every person you meet.  She’ll be your friend for life.  You’ll wish you’d met her sooner.  Grace.  She’s Amazing….

Matthew 11:29 – The Message – “…learn the unforced rhythms of Grace…”

(Paul was very familiar with Grace – 1 Timothy 1:14 – “Grace…was poured out on me abundantly…”  And he invited people to know her in all of his greetings and closings of his letters to the churches….”Grace be with you…”  He had become her friend and wanted others to know her friendship as well.)