"You...be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus."
2 Timothy 2:1
2 Timothy 2:1
For the past couple weeks, during their visit to California, my brother and sister-in-law have been staying with us. It’s been such fun sharing life together, especially reminiscing with my brother about our childhood. The other evening was no exception. Along with my other brother and sister-in-law, we went out to dinner at a restaurant in our old stomping grounds where we grew up—downtown Fullerton. On the way home as we passed through the main intersection in town, my brother brought up something he will not let me forget.
When we were just kids, he and I were walking around downtown, and thinking I had enough money, we went into a small ice cream shop right near that corner and ordered two chocolate malts. But when they were ready and it was time to pay, I was short. What I thought were quarters, were mere nickels. Nevertheless, since she had already made the malts, the woman at the counter had pity on us. She took what I had and told us to go ahead and take them. But I must say, even though I drank that malt, I didn’t enjoy it. I was simply too embarrassed. But over the years as I’ve heard my brother tell this story time-and-again, I’ve learned to laugh about it, and his most recent telling was no different. We all had a good laugh.
Then later that night, as I was falling asleep, I began thinking about the woman at the ice cream shop. She extended grace, but it was only half-hearted grace, for as she handed us the malts, it was like she was shaking her head at my stupidity. But as I recalled that childhood event, I couldn’t help but compare her grace to that of God. For as God hands us His grace, He doesn’t shake His head at our stupidity, He lovingly offers it. For His grace is pure. It’s free. All we need do is believe in Jesus. And when we do, the gift of His grace is eternal life in heaven with Him.
After being reminded one more time of that childhood event, perhaps more than ever before, I now understand God’s grace. And as I fell asleep, to make it complete, God brought to mind His words in which He said: “Come all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.” (Isaiah 55:1)
That’s God’s kind of grace, and I’m so glad He doesn’t let me forget it!
Blessings and love,
Judy Rose Grubaugh
When we were just kids, he and I were walking around downtown, and thinking I had enough money, we went into a small ice cream shop right near that corner and ordered two chocolate malts. But when they were ready and it was time to pay, I was short. What I thought were quarters, were mere nickels. Nevertheless, since she had already made the malts, the woman at the counter had pity on us. She took what I had and told us to go ahead and take them. But I must say, even though I drank that malt, I didn’t enjoy it. I was simply too embarrassed. But over the years as I’ve heard my brother tell this story time-and-again, I’ve learned to laugh about it, and his most recent telling was no different. We all had a good laugh.
Then later that night, as I was falling asleep, I began thinking about the woman at the ice cream shop. She extended grace, but it was only half-hearted grace, for as she handed us the malts, it was like she was shaking her head at my stupidity. But as I recalled that childhood event, I couldn’t help but compare her grace to that of God. For as God hands us His grace, He doesn’t shake His head at our stupidity, He lovingly offers it. For His grace is pure. It’s free. All we need do is believe in Jesus. And when we do, the gift of His grace is eternal life in heaven with Him.
After being reminded one more time of that childhood event, perhaps more than ever before, I now understand God’s grace. And as I fell asleep, to make it complete, God brought to mind His words in which He said: “Come all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.” (Isaiah 55:1)
That’s God’s kind of grace, and I’m so glad He doesn’t let me forget it!
Blessings and love,
Judy Rose Grubaugh