I have often struggled to understand God’s grace toward me. Ephesians 2:10 says I am “created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” Yet I cannot earn God’s love through those works (Ephesians 2:8, 9). How could I be forgiven by his grace—not by my own efforts—and yet still be expected to do good things? What about when I fail to do the good I know I ought to?
Touched by Love
I was struggling with these questions one day when I went to visit my 86-year-old grandpa in the nursing home. He was weak and ill. I sat next to his bed, taking in his old, kind face and holding his wrinkled hand that had once been so big and tough. He looked back at me in silence for a long time, with tender eyes.
The room was so still that I was surprised when he slowly lifted his arm off the bed. He was shaking as if it took every last ounce of his energy to raise that arm. He reached for my hair and smoothed it gently. Softly he touched my face with his fingertips. First my cheek, then my forehead, then my other cheek. His eyes twinkled and he smiled, tweaking my nose. Feebly, he dropped his arm back down onto the bed.
Finally he spoke. He looked right into my face, now stained with tears, and said, “You’re pretty.” I had never felt more beautiful. Then he whispered, “I love you.” I tried to squeak out, “I love you, too.”
Eager to Please
Our visiting time was over, and as I walked out the door he called after me, “You be good, you hear?” I have never wanted to be good more than I did in that moment. “I’ll try, Grandpa, I’ll try,” I said back. And I really meant it.
I left the nursing home that day with a new understanding of God’s grace. God had touched me through my grandpa’s feeble hands. God had told me that he loves me, just as I am. And God wants me to “be good,” following and obeying him. It made more sense now—grace and good works. They go together. How can I not want to serve the one who loves me so fully for no other reason than I am his? |L
Michelle Webster lives in Okeana, Ohio with her husband Charles and their two daughters, Abigail and Kayla. She and her family are involved in the Harrison site of LifeSpring Christian Church. Michelle is the daughter of The Lookout’s executive editor, David Faust.
