Paw Paw---The Angel of Grace

Welcome to my world that I call "Grace Gardens!!" I grew up hearing of grace, at least one interpretation of grace that seemed to meet the needs of the religiosity of that time. As I developed what some call, "ministry," I often spoke of and preached on grace. However, to my disadvantage I had never needed to taste of grace deeply, smell the fragrance of her flowers, drink from her fountain, nor taste her fruit. In my third pastorate someone told me that I was living under the law and, of course I scoffed. After all, yes salvation was a free gift but if you received it there were strict rules to follow, you had to be "holy," live holy, dress holy, and talk holy. Anyone who didn't had their name stricken from the Book of Life by the angry hand of God. Through the years grace tolerated my misunderstandings and yes, arrogance. Then it came...the time I needed grace as never before!!! I can now say I've tasted, I've smelled, and I've drunk so profoundly from the depths of its fountainhead, and I now know the fulfilment of, "taste and see that the Lord is good," "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink...and out of his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water."
Now I live and move and have my being in, "Grace Gardens!" And the more each moment is in the garden, I realize that the river of grace flows from the inner being outward and touches all those around us. No Grace Gardens is not a physical place, it is in my heart and in my soul...it is where only I can go, and in doing so release the grace of God in me to others.
We met someone last Wednesday who also lives in Grace Gardens. As we pulled up to the old cafe, I stopped to let Nora out near the door. As she has been experiencing difficulties with her lower legs, her step was unsteady and from out of nowhere a knarled hand reached out and a voice softly said, "Here, let old Paw Paw help you young lady." There he stood in old bib overalls, unshaven for a few days, and a toothless grin. I thanked him and moved on to park the car. When I got to the creaky wooden steps, he was already tenderly assisting Nora toward the door. Insisting on holding the door for us, he spoke again, "I love ya'll...God bless you!" Nora turned to him with a gentle hug and "thanks." I turned to him and said, "And God bless you Paw Paw, you're truely an Angel of Grace." Again, the toothless grin and parting words, "When you're 78 years old you are blessed to be able to help someone!" With that he was gone!
We are told that there are those who have entertained angels without knowing it, well we were entertained by an angel of grace!!! Could it be??? Yep, maybe so!!!
More from Grace Gardens next time!!! Love and Grace to All!!