They didn’t have that back then?
Do you know how many times I have heard that? From my kids? From the young bucks who are trying to make a point (but kidding while they do)? More than I can count. In this day of more-than-modern medicine, my past life seems almost dinosaur-ish. Fossil fuel for the 2012 crowd. But that’s okay. Many have no clue what it was like to sleep with no A/C or have to crank the windows in the car or only listen to AM radio. The only ear buds we had were friends calling us “Bud” or carrying around a transistor radio that was run by a 9-volt battery and had one little ear plug to use. (Those were the good-old days?) When our girls were born there was no such thing as an ultra-sound machine that allowed us to know the sex of the baby before he/she was born. I wanted a boy so bad Jo would probably say I would have bribed the tech to say, “Boy.” (I wouldn’t trade either of my girls for all the money in the world. A new bike maybe…naaah) 
But I digress. Back in 1975 & 1979 fathers being in the delivery room was just starting to happen and our first doctor was not one of them. The second was not an option. Back then it was enough to “hear” the heartbeat and guess the child’s sex.
I just started reading Max Lucado’s new book, Grace, in which he tells a story of Tara Storch. A skiing accident in 2010 took the life of her 13 year old daughter. Tara and Todd (father) decided to donate her heart to someone else. Patricia Winters was the recipient, her heart having started failing five years before. Taylor’s heart gave her a fresh start on life.
Tara had only one request: she wanted to hear the heartbeat of her daughter. She and Todd flew from Dallas to Phoenix and went to Patricia’s home to listen to Taylor’s heart.
The two mothers embraced for a long time and then Patricia offered them a stethoscope. (Story edited by me for length)
Max makes a good point. When Tara and Todd heard that heartbeat, whose heart did they hear? Their daughter’s. It may have been in a new body, but it was the still-beating heart of Taylor. Paul wrote, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” (Gal.2:20) When grace happens, Christ enters. He moves in. He still does. “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Col.1:27)
Christ lives in me. No other religion can make that claim. Not Islam. Not Buddhism. Not Hugh Hefner. Influence? Instruct? Entice? Yes. But occupy? No. (Story and application from pages 8-10)
I was sitting reading this in the orthodontist’s waiting room and could feel the throat constriction that comes from being moved. What a wonderful truth! Max says so much more. I am just getting started. Here is a good review. Your turn. What is grace to you? How important is it? Do you show it?
I can remember a few times when I was alone reading and a feeling swept over me in such on rush as to not be mistakable telling me, “Do not miss this point that you are reading.” Sounds like you had such a moment.
Absolutely correct Daniel. One I hope sticks with me.
This book has given me an appreciation for God’s grace like I have never had before. There were several times when I had to wipe away the tears.
Thanks for the mention of the review as well.
I was doing that as i was reading Sele. I picked this book up because of your recommendation. Thanks for that. And you’re welcome.
Grace is the most wonderful thing in my life.
And no…I don’t show very often. Not like I should, anyway.
And it makes it even more wonderful that He’d give Himself to me.
That it is Steve. And as you state, even more wonderful that He would give Himself to me.
Grace is Jesus knowing all of my sins and dying for me anyway so I can live.
Dead on.
What a story, Bill! Max Lucado gave me my first taste of what God’s Grace is. It was the first time I thought there might be something amiss in legalism. Thank you for sharing it.
Glad you liked it Susan and I could share it.
Grace has been something I have been learning more and more all my life. When I was child “For it is by grace you have been saved…” were just words. They didn’t mean anything to me. NOW they mean everything.
Oh you are so right Eileen! I learned that same verse when I was a child but it takes a lifetime to learn.
Grace is a concept that is utilized in nearly all religions. For Jews a variety of covenants, in Islam something given by Allah and not earned, in Christianity it is given in exchange for a belief in the resurrection and for Hindus it must be earned to break the bondage of Karma.
In all cases it is a sort of get out of jail free card in exchange for believing. It excuses some of the most heinous acts humans can perpetrate(in the case of David)I am not sure that would work in a system of Justice.
I do think if more people adopted the idea of giving someone a break for minor transgressions we might all get along a little better and have a more peaceful world.
I don’t think Grace comes easy for most people in their interactions with others. Who can we blame or how do we get even seems more prevelant.
i would disagree on the Christianity part Jeff. It is not given in exchange for a belief in the resurrection. Grace is defined as “unmerited favor” or something we don’t deserve. I cannot speak for the other religions. But i also don’t see grace as a get out of jail free card. David paid the price (although not death) for his adultery and murder. His came later down the road in other forms. But in the end, grace still forgives by giving us something we don’t deserve.
Knowing the technical term; unmerited favor, falls woefully short. Feeling and knowing in heart and soul the omnipotence of God and striving to fathom His perfection, yet choosing to give even more through the sacrifice of His and His Son, starts to crack the door of His grace. Just the faint glimmer of understanding should bring us to our knees in thankfulness. We love Him because He first loved us…
Your comment speaks of delving deeper into this subject Floyd. I think you put it well when you said “starts to crack the door of His grace.” Grace drives us to our knees.
I could be mistaken. Are you saying you can receive Grace even if you don’t believe in the resurrection?
Trying to figure out how to answer this Jeff. Grace is God’s actions toward us although we did not deserve those actions. It was demonstrated by giving His Son in death on the cross for the punishment that was due us and for our salvation. A rejection of truth (resurrection for one) leads to consequences that even grace cannot overrule because God cannot go against His own Word and character. I feel like I did a lousy job explaining that.
I understand your explanation.
I love reading Max Lucado! I’ll have to read this book- it sounds great. Felt the tears welling up.
Grace is everything, without I’d be lost!
So far this book is great. Hitting chapter 7. And I would be lost also.
Wow! What a story….that got me. Max Lucado is awesome! Grace is something I do not deserve, yet it covers me everyday, for which I’m very, very grateful.
Totally agree Jan about grace.
Unmerited forgiveness. I would really love to get to that place where I would freely forgive others without giving it a second thought.
Me too Mike.