My Story Part 8: Grace Exemplified

We were at an engagement party one day. We heard the engaged couple say that they were blessed to have a long distance relationship because it allowed them to go deep fast. When you live in the same town you spend your time playing games, watching movies, or hanging out with other people. When you are long distance though, all you can do is talk on the phone. This forces you to talk, which breeds intimacy... it opens the door to hard conversations.

Dave and I immediately resonated with this. We have the best of both worlds. We live an hour away. This means that I get to see him every weekend, and even some weekdays as he is willing to drive on a school night. But the other nights are spent on the phone. We talk a lot. This is an amazing thing since until now I have never enjoyed being on the phone, but now I look forward to it.

What we talk about? In a word: everything.

It was quick into the relationship that we broached some heavy topics. We talked about dreams for the future. We talked about our past transgressions and transgressions against us. We laid bear our hearts.

We placed ourselves in complete vulnerability, the scariest place in relationships. We both feared being rejected and condemned. Jesus showed up.

 Thousands of years ago he took nails through his hands and feet to exemplify grace. Through his crown of thorns, He forgave us. Through His suffering, He loved us, despite us. He reached down from heaven into our muck and mire. He cleaned us. He restored us. He healed us. He showed grace in a tangible way.

Two months ago in our vulnerable place He once again exemplified grace. This time it was through tears on the other side of a phone conversation. We laid ourselves bear. We stepped into the vulnerable place. Then we both extended grace. We chose love. Jesus defined grace for me through a man that loved me despite my past, my hurts, my fears, my insecurities.