Are you "cross-eyed?" Do you see the world through the filter of God's amazing expression of love as found in the cross?

Lifelong grace sometimes sneaks up on us in moments of reflection. I recently heard a quiet, reserved man share news of his upcoming retirement. He described his gratitude for being able to work in a place where faith was at the core of all their work. While his job was to help design earth moving equipment, now, as he looked back, he'd also come to understand that the faith he and his co-workers talked about in passing shaped all they did. All the workers supported their co-worker in the death of a child, or practiced patience as a new manager learned his trade, or worked extra hours when someone needed to spend time in rehabilitation. Jesus Christ was very much in the midst of this plant, living with and in very real and occasionally raucous human beings who came to understand undeserved grace.

Daily grace can shape our work in such a way that it stops being mere work and becomes a way of life. I know a nurse who faithfully ministered to patients for 42 years before "retiring." Three days later, she turned the corner of the same hallway pushing the flower cart and continuing to bring light to patients' lives. The days passed, until she found herself a patient in the same hospital. When I went to visit her, her room was empty, but a nurse directed me to the sunroom, which was brightened all the more by her grace-filled presence. She sat in her wheelchair, holding the hand of a fellow patient and explaining what the woman could expect when she went for tests later that day. Her faithful service defined and gave purpose to her life in this world.

When we always hold before us the cross, God's greatest sign of love for this world, God strengthens us to follow by living with our arms outstretched. Then we begin to love others as a sign of His grace, and we also receive more grace in return than we could ever carry.

About the Author: Katie Gosswein is the deaconess of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Raleigh, NC. She serves the parish in the areas of youth ministry, education, fellowship and church administration.
 

Prayer: Gracious God, we thank you for the continuing signs of grace as revealed through the cross of your Son. Give us eyes to see your signs of grace, and hands to serve you in grace- full ways, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.