Reflections

Serendipitous moments are often pleasant and unexpected. Let me tell you about such a moment last month that was not just pleasant — it was downright providential!

William Willimon says that the very essence of grace is to receive the gift of laughter — especially when the joke is on us. The reality is that at any age of our lives, perfection is always elusive. Sometimes our learning moments happen in public. One of the gifts of God’s presence is an indwelling awareness of the wonder and enjoyment of graceful growth, and the realization that life is always more meaningful when we invite others to join us.

2020 can and should be a time for all of us to remember and share the good things from our family, friends, and community. To help you in that search, I offer you one of my favorite stories: “The Good Stuff” by Robert Fulghum.

Reinhold Niebuhr said somewhere that the very essence of sin is to take ourselves too seriously. If that’s true, then the very essence of grace is to receive the gift of laughter, especially when the joke is on us.”