But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us ... made us alive together with Christ ... so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:4-7 NRSV)

A special bond exists between my wife, Nancy, and our granddaughter, Landrye.

That's how it should be. After all, Nancy has invested hours and hours in Landrye. Trips to school and Bible class, board games, zoo and museum trips, pretend games, books read, songs sung, and those indescribable moments that come only when one person is just there for someone else.

And so these two very important people in my life share a relationship that gladdens me and delights me. I am a spectator to a wondrous glimpse of God — seen in the way they brighten in each other's presence.

That overflow washes over me constantly.

I'm not in that special grandmother-granddaughter club. Yet, Landrye's love overflows to me through small things. Like this morning, when she took my hand on the way into church and chose a seat by me.

And in her insistence that I ride in the back seat with her as Nancy chauffeured us to the pizza parlor. And when she looked to me as a mythical champion of arcade games — a reputation earned by the lucky punch of a button that landed a jackpot of 250 tickets. And the way she says "Grampa" and giggles at my silliness.

That overflow washes over me constantly. And it matters little whether I have earned Landrye's attention. She gladly lavishes it on me.

I've spent a lifetime trying to grasp the concept of God's grace. Could it be that I am finally gaining my best understanding through the smile and the hugs of a five-year old angel?

 

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© 2007 Joey Cope.

Title: "Grace"
Author: Joey Cope
Publication Date: April 03, 2007

Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth by Richard J. Foster Hailed by many as the best modern book on Christian spirituality, "Celebration of Discipline" explores the "classic Disciplines," or central spiritual practices, of the Christian faith.

Joey Cope (Dr. Joe L. Cope) is the executive director of the Center for Conflict Resolution at Abilene Christian University. He teaches graduate courses in advanced conflict management, negotiation and mediation. The work of the Center includes mediation/intervention services and educational offerings through seminars, conferences and special courses designed for businesses, non-profit organizations, and churches. Cope is an attorney and received his certificate in dispute resolution from Pepperdine University School of Law. Cope is an elder of the Highland Church of Christ in Abilene, Texas.

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