“I thought about being a reporter, but a news director told me I have an egg-shaped face.” Those were the words of my neighbor as she pulled back her hair with a sheepish grin, almost acknowledging the cruel remark as being true. She had seen a news report of mine and wanted to discuss the broadcasting industry as we were standing in our driveways one evening, many years ago.
“What an awful thing for someone to say,” I responded. “First of all, it’s not true. Second, you can do anything you want if you work at it. I’m sure you’d make a great reporter!” She appreciated the remark, but her demeanor made me think the psychological damage had been done. There would be no further pursuit of her journalistic ambitions. She was resigned to whatever “Plan B” was.
One dictionary defines grace as “…an attractively polite manner of behaving.” That neighbor of mine most definitely had not experienced grace. Hearing her discouraging story reminded me of just how lucky I was to have experienced a grace moment in college.
Many of the upperclassmen who were telecommunications majors were not that interested in helping me, a freshman, learn the ropes. A career in journalism seemed intimidating. The thought of changing majors entered my mind, but then came an unexpected comment from one of my professors on a class project. “Great job Ed,” he wrote. “You will go as far as you want to in this business.”
I was stunned. He could have just given me an “A” on the project, but he also wanted to offer encouragement. I appreciated the kind words, but it was more than just kindness. It was someone who was “in the business” actually believing in me, making me feel capable and worthy. At first, I felt like my project wasn’t anything special, and I didn’t really do anything to deserve that praise. But those simple words inspired me to continue. They helped shape my future. Sadly, the message my neighbor received seemed to have shaped her future as well.
In the Christian context, one definition of grace is “…the free and unmerited favor of God.” We can’t earn it. It costs us nothing. Jesus Christ paid the price for our sins on the cross. We know this from Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”
God delivers the most powerful message of grace we will ever know. We are loved.
During this season of Lent, let that truth impact your life. Encourage others by sharing that message with them. We are saved by His Grace.
Ed Doney, Writer/Videographer
