Grace

Elizabeth and Katherine. My kids both have nine letter first names.  After naming Elizabeth, my wife considered this to be a relatively large factor in choosing baby names (not that nine letters is magical, but rather continuity if both had nine letters).  I simply liked the names…

But if we had been blessed with another girl, I am convinced that we would have named her Grace.  Toss out the continuity, Grace was the odds on favorite if the third was a girl.  Alas, God did not grant us Grace…

Today, I attended the Simple Service at church.  It is a short, come-as-you are service held in the chapel.  The chapel is small and lends itself well to the deaf and hard of hearing by allowing me to sit close enough to read the minister’s lips. 

Today’s scripture from Ephesians included these words:  Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.

Grace to those who hear…  Being the cynical deaf guy that I am, I underlined these words on my bulletin and put it aside to share with the minister after the service. When I presented the underlined passage, he laughed and said that Paul was notorious for being non-inclusive so try not to take it as a personal rebuke against the deaf. Well, good enough, I suppose…

After returning home, I watched the 11:00 regular church service on YouTube.  YouTube provides captions so I am able to follow along with the sermon.  The scripture was the same, and I found myself reading those words again…grace to those who hear.  The sermon was well delivered, provided an uplifting message, but left me wondering about that scripture that was echoing in my head.  Is there truly an opportunity for grace for those with a placard hanging from their rearview mirror? 

Later in the day, I read the words from a friend who always sends a written copy of his Sunday sermons delivered at a church in another city.  He opened with a litany that included these words:

We search for meaning amid the chaos that surrounds us.   Yet God is always near, providing grace, guidance and encouragement.

There it was again…but this time the hearing was not a requisite and it prompted me to reflect on Grace. 

Perhaps God isn’t sending me signs, perhaps God is signing to me… 

This morning at the Simple Service when I lost the flow of the sermon, my daughter touched my arm to get my attention, and signed what the minister was saying to clarify the story being told.

And last week during a weekend birthday celebration, although signing is not our typical mode of communication, my family members patiently finger spelled messages to me.

Then there is this…

My grandson Teddy is almost two.  Lip reading with a two-year old is a challenge.  During our celebration weekend, I had the opportunity to lip read as he smiled and said the word Papa when he saw me for the first time one day.   And on the last day of the trip, I got down on my knees to be close to his height.  I signed I love you to Teddy and he signed love you back to me.  Melt my heart…

So, maybe God did grant Grace after all…even if it wasn’t to those who hear. 

Wishing for each of you, God’s grace upon you and yours.

Thanks for listening!

Your friend,

KBM

Kevin Medlin
kevin@mysilentpew.com