St. Luke's Blogs

My first introduction to grace was through relationships with family members.  When I was small, I was difficult; I had a temper and was extremely stubborn. My family easily recalls stories of the times I was determined to have my way, no matter who suffered. I remember one time my older brother (one of the kindest souls on the planet) made me angry about something and I took a hammer and hit him on the head. Thankfully, it didn’t do any permanent damage! My grandfather used to say, “The Lord has a lot to take out of that girl!”

Back to my introduction to grace; every time I was unkind or hurtful to my family, I received forgiveness. My brother harbors no ill will toward me for hitting him with that hammer! To this day, I know if I said or did something hurtful to my dad or siblings, they’d forgive me. And because my family exhibited this grace to me, I can understand that God can extend His grace to me…

Grace is God’s gift to us of forgiveness, acceptance, and love. It’s a grace that draws us to him, it’s a grace that saves us, and it’s a grace that helps us to be more like Christ. Even though good works may be a result of grace, they are not the way we earn grace. God’s gift of grace to us is just that, a gift. We don’t have to do anything to be loved and used by God.

I’ve been fortunate to know many people in my life who I have been able to look up to for the ways they have lived out their faith.  Those who have used their gifts given to others so freely and generously, those who have shown incredible faith and growth during the most challenging moments, and those who just live their life every day in a way that shows what God’s grace is all about…

In my early days of pastoral ministry, when I served as an Associate at several medium-sized churches, I was often called upon to officiate at funerals for members of the community who were not connected to our family of faith. A call from the funeral home usually went something like, “we have a family… who does not have a pastor… and needs assistance with a service…”

While leading a service for someone you have never met can be incredibly challenging, I found great joy in learning about the person’s life and hearing stories from the family about how this person had blessed others and made a difference. Sometimes I received LOTS of information, but many times there was very little to work with, so I had to be creative. I have many fond memories of standing with loved ones at a graveside as we said goodbye to their mother, uncle, cousin, or co-worker.

One of my favorite memories is a couple who lived in Duncan, OK.  Both were elderly. The husband had cared for his sick wife for many years and doted on her to the very end…

Grace is something I have been so thankful to receive my entire life (just ask my parents).  Growing up, I was a hard-headed, independent, fierce little girl.  If I had it in my head that I could do it, there was no way you were going to tell me “no.”  When grounded in the right way, this can be a great asset in life.  However, at the age of 4, when the “no” was “no, you cannot go play in the sandbox during a thunderstorm,” it did not serve me well to fight to the end, thinking I could indeed do such a thing.  It was not a fun time for my mother, the enforcer of this cruel rule.  Who was she to say no?  Why not?

One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house, and took his place at table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “What is it, Teacher?” “A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he forgave them both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, to whom he forgave more.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house, you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,
    for in you my soul takes refuge;
in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,
    until the destroying storms pass by.
I cry to God Most High,
    to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
He will send from heaven and save me,
    he will put to shame those who trample on me. Selah
God will send forth his steadfast love and his faithfulness.

Have you ever been stuck somewhere? Have you been out of money, no ride available, and didn’t know what you would do that night?  I have.

In 2006, I went to Italy, Switzerland, and Germany for a month of travel. I was a college student out to see Europe for the first time. I attended music conferences in Switzerland, but I also wanted to see some high school exchange students I had stayed in touch with who lived in Germany and Italy. Every day was a new adventure! The smell of bakeries in the morning, and amazing, centuries-old architecture were all around me. The music conferences were superb, and I made lifelong friends and heard some of my heroes play their farewell concerts. I even played an alphorn in the Swiss Alps!

At the end of my month of traveling, I headed to the airport via bus for my return flight to America. When we approached the airport, traffic was getting quite congested. At one point we just stopped and sat for 20 minutes. I started to get nervous, but still had plenty of time before my flight, or so I thought…

Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. – Proverbs 14:29

Often, it’s hard to show grace. In January, between the girls and I, we had several doctor appointments. We are all aware of long wait times in the waiting rooms. Sometimes we need to reschedule due to conflicts or sickness, and trying to get a hold of someone in the office can be equally as frustrating.

Throughout the course of two weeks, I made multiple calls to several doctors’ offices about scheduling appointments for various things. I probably called five different people, three times each. Nobody returned my calls. I was extremely frustrated and honestly couldn’t understand why it was so hard to simply call me back.

I heard a wonderful story recently about a couple named Isadore and Sarah Kornberg.  They were married in 1944 in Brooklyn and were together for close to sixty years.  In later years, Sarah was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and Isadore had heart issues.  In 2003, he had a heart attack.  Their son, Robert, says his dad survived but was in a nursing home for three months.  During that time, Sarah, had become increasingly more confused.  Shortly afterwards, Isadore had another heart attack and passed away.  Robert knows he will have to tell his mom the news…

“I give grace because I so desperately need it.” – Lysa Terkeurst

A few weeks ago, I came down with Covid. This was the worst timing, as I was in the process of transferring to the Downtown campus, finding new curriculum for Sunday School, cleaning out my office and organizing everything for the new Director of Children’s Ministry at the Edmond Campus. I was sick and overwhelmed, but thankfully a sweet friend came to my rescue; even when I was helpless and couldn’t assist with the effort of cleaning and organizing the mess that I had made. And let me tell you… this was no small task!

Office organization is not my skill. So, the closet and office clean-out were not for the faint of heart…