Buckets of Grace

Johnna H. gave our first practice talk last week — Priority. She did a great job with it, particularly since it’s the “odd talk out,” with no mention of God or scripture. But what stuck with me was something she said before she even got started. She asked us for “buckets of grace.”

I can’t even recall why she thought she needed all that grace. Like I said, she was terrific, and I know she knows His grace is sufficient, even when we’re giving practice talks! In fact, God gives us buckets of grace every day, so why are we so stingy about sharing it with others?

Anyway, here’s a personal snapshot of His grace from that first meeting last week. I thought I was organized when I got to the church at 5 p.m. Really, I did. But I couldn’t get the good copier to work and I jammed up the not-so-good one. Eventually, after a panicked call from me, Barbara F. showed up, waved her hands over those pesky copiers, and had them working in no time flat. But the damage was done and I was flustered...scattered...disorganized.

As the team started to arrive, I wanted so badly to hug them and take them aside individually for a good, long chat. I yearned to tell them how much I appreciated them saying YES to God, and showing up for the first meeting. But there was no chance of that happening, and later I just knew the team was onto me, thinking, “Wow, she doesn’t have a clue what she’s doing. We’re all going over a cliff here!”

Things got smoother as the evening progressed. (Note: Our music team ROCKS! Never, ever underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit working through the music team on the walks.) And then, suddenly, we were in the Sanctuary.

John R. gave a sweet devotion, and then asked me to help him serve Holy Communion. At first I thought he was talking to Susan F., who was sitting behind me. After all, didn’t he know how emotional I can get serving Communion? It’s always an incredibly precious and humbling experience for me.

But this time was particularly overwhelming as, one by one, the team members God called and I was privileged to invite on His behalf stood before me to receive His grace and mercy from the cup I held.

“Christ's blood, shed for you, ______.”

As I called each one by name and we locked eyes, it was crystal clear to me: This was His grace for me, poured out of a bucket and over my heart like spring water to refresh my spirit. It was pure restoration of the contact I so missed and longed for earlier in the evening. Now how loving is that?

See you tomorrow night, precious team members!

From the Beginning

Susan Link, Table of Sarah, 1996.

Remember the last time you took a vacation? Did you come home with photos, postcards, souvenirs maybe? Even if your last trip was business, rather than pleasure, you surely returned with memories of your travels.

Thirteen years ago I took a journey to Emmaus, and it changed my life. I began an authentic relationship with Jesus on the Campus of Emory & Henry College that July; prior to that we were mere acquaintances, even though I had been baptized and confirmed into church membership as a youth.

When I came home on Sunday night, I brought a bag full of rainbow agape gifts, an enveloped filled with tear-stained letters, and a few extra pounds. But more important than any souvenir, I came home from Emmaus with the sure and powerful heart knowledge that God loved me more that I had ever imagined possible.

The journey has continued on from there, with the inevitable turns in the road and the occasional dead end. But I’ve never lost sight of my destination and I’ve tried to share as much love as I could along the way.

This year the road has taken another turn, and I find myself in the position of Women’s Walk Director. It’s a humbling place to serve and I’m simply trusting that God is going to equip me. After all, this is His walk, not mine.

Last week, two days before team meetings began, my friend Debbie sent me an email from the beach (I could almost smell the salt air). She wrote,

“Make sure you enjoy the moments of watching for His glory during the process. This will be good. And part of me wants to encourage you, too, to journal during the process so you will have tangible proof of how He's led and directed along the way.”

My initial reaction was, “Nice idea, but not going to happen.” Where would I find the time? Well, I still don’t know where I’ll find the time, but the more I thought about it the more God gave me a vision of this blog.

So here I am, on the journey to Emmaus again and open to any excursions in grace He may have planned for us, the women of Highlands Emmaus Team #37. I have no doubt that the resurrected Lord who walks alongside us will reveal Himself in countless ways between now and mid-July, and I hope to share some of those here, for our team and our community.

DeColores,
S.