In an earlier entry I described another wonderful book by Jerry Sittser called A Grace Revealed: How God Redeems the Story of Your Life. In the weeks since my mother died, I have reflected more on this concept relative to her life.
God reveals his grace in some unique ways through each of our lives and the circumstances of our lives. Thus when we look at the story of someone's life the question becomes - how did God use that life or engage with that person to teach us or reveal something to us about his grace?
In the case of Vivian, I see a life marked by ordinary openness and honesty, combined with an ornery faithfulness - my mother was very approachable and accepting of many kinds of people who were able to share their hopes and their doubts equally without being judged by her.
Even though she was open and approachable, she also often challenged us in her own ornery style to step away from our perspective, see a bigger picture, and do the right thing even if that was harder or more uncomfortable. At times, this fearless honesty focused on her fellow church members and peers as she challenged them to love people more unconditionally and fully.
Her call was to be a wife to a small town minister and a mother to her sons, and yet her own grace story goes well beyond these people as she left her mark among many other extended family and friends during her 90 years on earth.
I have only begun to understand my mother’s grace story with its own unique richness and flavor, but I know enough already to have a heart full of gratitude for the legacy that she leaves behind.
Thanks be to God.
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