Grace

There have been two times in my life when I have felt so completely overwhelmed by another person's indescribable generosity.

Henri Nouwen often wrote about giving and receiving, being the guest and being the host. One cannot survive without the other.

Last night some dear friends identified a desire in our lives and then met that desire beyond any anticipated measure. As David and I were driving away from their house we were sitting in a silent vulnerability. Speechless, tearful, not knowing what to say to each other, not knowing how to graciously accept this precious gift, and knowing that words would never express our gratitude, we took the long way home in silence. It is not only the material nature of our friends' gift to us, it is the deep love and friendship that stands behind it, knowing that God chose to work through them to meet us in a moment of doubt, need, desire....Longing. Longing to know he still works and moves and acts among his motley crew of followers.

Their gift is a slight glimpse of the greater gift of redemption given through Jesus. One where words again will never be thankful enough, actions never good enough, and a wavering roller coaster of commitment at times. In the end I can only accept it and hope the giver can read through my fumbling petty words of thanks.