Surprised by Grace

“Wouldn’t these magnets make great souvenirs from my trip?” I thought,
browsing the little shop high above the ground. My summer of serving with
inner city ministries in New York was drawing to a close, and my friends
and I had wanted to visit the Empire State Building one final time. We
stopped by the gift shop before leaving, where I spotted magnets depicting
classic New York City landmarks.

I selected a few to give as presents but then inadvertently dropped one.
Hitting the floor, it broke. I gathered up the two cracked pieces and chose
a replacement for it as well. Reaching the cashier’s counter, I set down
the items I wished topurchase—along with the broken one. The clerk pointed
out that it was damaged; I explained I’d caused the accident and would pay
for the broken souvenir as well as the ones I wanted to bring home.

But the cashier told me I didn’t have to pay for it. The store made
allowances for the occasional broken piece of merchandise; they would cover
the cost. Amazed, I thanked her for being understanding about my mistake.

When people surprise us with grace—affording us better treatment than we
deserve—it can remind us of God’s grace toward us, which He revealed in His
gift of eternal life to all who trust in His Son, Jesus, for the
forgiveness of their sins. While I had the ability to pay for the busted
magnet, I don’t possess the power to pay for my own sins.

By putting our trust in Jesus, who died on the cross and then rose from the
grave for us, we experience God’s grace and mercy—not being treated as our
sins deserve, but instead getting to participate in His everlasting kingdom
as one of His beloved children. As we grow in love for God, we can share
this astonishing grace and mercy with others. Just as that cashier showed
me many stories above the
streets of New York. ⦁ Allison Wilson Lee

⦁ Have you ever been surprised by the grace another person showed you? What
did they do?

⦁ When we consider the mercy God showers on His children, how could that
inspire us to show mercy to others?

For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves;
it is God’s gift. Ephesians 2:8 (CSB)

Read Verses:

Ps.51.1-Ps.51.2|Mic.7.18|Matt.5.7|Eph.2.8