In these difficult times it can be easy to let things get to us. Emotions are high, stress is increased by financial or relational difficulties, and some times grace can be very hard to find, let alone understand.

Back in the Summer one day after work I was hot, tired, and rushed. I had gone straight from work to the grocery store, and then home with the intention of cooking dinner (okay, so it was going to be sandwiches, I had thirty minutes tops available) eating quickly, hopping back in the car to drive my younger daughter to karate and then taking my mother over to my sister's house so they could ride together to a family reunion (which I had to miss because of work) the next day.

I was feeling a little stressed.

For one thing, I wasn't exactly sure where the karate studio was (it had moved) and I wanted my husband to go with me because he did know, and so we could spend some time together...because some times when we are both busy you take what you can get to be alone, even if it's only a short trip in the car. He, however, was feeling ill and didn't want to go so I was feeling prickly about that as well.

It was with great relief upon arriving home from work I discovered my older daughter putting the finishing touches on dinner when I came trundling into the house with groceries. I didn't have to do a thing. I breathed a sigh of grateful thanks, only to then discover my mother had run an errand at the last minute and was no where to be seen. The momentary drop in stress was immediately negated at this realization. We were on a very tight schedule and had to leave on time. I was ready to walk out the door without her when she arrived. Quickly we transferred her things to the trunk of my car, bustling my younger daughter into the back seat, my mother to the front with nary a chance to grab a sip of water or take a bathroom break, we were on our way.

After delivering my daughter safely to her awaiting instructor, Mom told me my sister was expecting her to have already eaten before she arrived at her house. We needed to stop so she could grab a bite to eat. Breathing a sigh I agreed and pulled into the nearest fast food restaurant.

My mother was hanging back, examining the menu and trying to figure what to order. I only wanted a soda to drink so I went to the counter and waited for the young man who was manning the register to notice my presence. I had my two dollars out and ordered a large drink. He looked at me for a second, quirked a smile handing over the cup with a stage worthy "shhhhh". Making a grand gesture with his hand he said, "Go forth and enjoy this beautiful evening!".

It took me a moment to understand he was giving me with a free coke. I smiled, uttered a surprised "thanks", found a table and waited as my mother moved forward, ordered and recieved her order then came to join me.

As I sipped on my drink I considered this unknown teenage boy and the gift he offered by covering the cost of my drink himself.  I had done nothing to warrent a free drink. If anything my attitude throughout the evening was snippy. I had been acting impatiently with my mother, daughter, husband, and yet I was offered this free gift from one young man who realized I needed it.  All I had to do was say yes, and accept it.  In this simple act of random kindness, the meaning of grace was suddenly, graphically revealed to me.

Grace is offered where a price should normally be demanded.  If grace is evident in the giving and recieving of a single cup of soda, how much more then is the grace a loving, forgiving God extended to us, a sinful people?  This is where it becomes hard to accept for most.  No one likes to believe themselves to be sinful, although no one can honestly claim exemption. We all lie, cheat, indulge in any number of selfish desires no matter the cost or who might be hurt. We've acted cruelly, treated others with disrespect or disloyalty. None of this makes us bad people, but it does make us sinful.  "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard."  Romans 3:23 (NLT) 

God offers us grace we don't deserve. Forgiveness for the sins we are all guilty of committing. Grace freely given to all of us through Jesus...the only one who ever truly lived without sin...who took the burden on himself and paid the cost on our behalf.   All we have to do is say "yes", and accept it.  Accept Him.

Grace revealed in a random act of kindness.  Amazing grace, indeed.