Imprints of Grace

Special Moments

First A little background about me: 

In my childhood days, I was a bit hyperactive. 

I always had a kind heart, but I recognize now how I could have been annoying. 

I also was hyper competitive. So depending on who the person was and how I was interacting with them, they could have a large array of impressions of who I was. 

I guess my point is: I could be difficult.

I was inspired this morning to share some really special moments in my life that I will never forget from my childhood from people other than my Mother.  

Below are 3 examples that I was inspired to share this morning.

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My Grandpa drove me home from up North when I was a young boy. 

This is a 4 hour drive and I was the only Grandchild that couldn’t sleep in a car. 

Like I said I was hyper and could be annoying. 

My Grandpa could have scolded me repeatedly, and it would have needed to be repeatedly.  Although I had a good heart and would listen, that could only last so long and the hyper annoyingness is coming back.  It was an unstoppable force.

But what my Grandpa did was put in an 8 track tape of Neil Diamonds Greatest Hits. 

At that point in my life, I never heard of Neil Diamond. 

He turned it up and we sang. 

By the time that ride was done, I knew all the songs and to this day Love those Neil Diamond songs and still know all the words.  Those songs now bring comfort and Joy! 

 His Grace and Kindness was Amazing! I will never forget it.

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Now skip ahead to being a 20 year old in college, working as a waiter in a restaurant to pay my way through school. The same Grandfather from up North was in town and stopped by for a visit. I was dressed up in my ridiculous waiter uniform with the big puffy shoulders, ready to walk out the door to head to work. 

 I was raised to be responsible, truthful and to keep your word. My other Grandpa would have told me to go to work and keep your commitment. Which is fine and with good intentions. I’m not saying that would be a bad thing and those are good morals to keep. 

However what my Grandpa did left an imprint. 

 My Grandparents were walking in as I was ready to walk out. 

So I could only just say Hi and By, then who knows how long until I see them again. 

I didn’t want to go to work, but I knew it was the responsible thing to do, so I felt stuck.

What do I do? 

 I asked my Grandpa if I should just call in sick. 

 He smiled and said: “wouldn’t hurt my feelings”. 

 The way he looked at me, smiled and then said it.  It was full of Grace and Love. 

 I called in sick which I never had done without being sick before.  

I am so grateful that I did.  

I stayed and enjoyed the time with my Grandparents.

I don’t remember any other details, but that moment will last forever.

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My Mom’s twin brother took me out for Lunch with his family when I was young. 

 My Uncle found out what I wanted to eat prior to the waitress getting there. 

 Then when the waitress was at the table taking the order, I felt the need to clarify something. It probably wasn’t very important (I don’t have any memory of what I thought I needed) but to me at the time, it was urgent. 

Now I’m anxious and starting to feel uncomfortable. 

 I grew up with a Dad that would regularly say: “Children should be seen and not heard.” He was quick to anger and be intimidating.  I was trained to not bother him. So hopefully now you can have empathy for the situation of why I was filled with so much anxiety in the moment. 

 I’m stuck in this situation where I don’t want to interrupt, but in my mind I have the most important thing in the world to say. 

As if I have the codes to stop Nuclear Armageddon. 

But hey this is what goes on in an innocent mind with nothing else to focus on. 

 My Uncle recognized that I was struggling, motioned to the waitress to hang on and reached over and calmly placed his hand on mine. 

Then calmly asked me what I wanted to say. 

 I could feel that I had his full attention – 100% in that moment. 

He clearly had no distractions. 

 I had never felt that before. 

 I was used to my Dad not wanting to be bothered and my Mom (Who is the best person I will ever know) but she was always multitasking because she had to do everything. 

 I was accustomed to having to get their attention while they were busy with other things. 

 I still can feel his calmness and having his full attention. 

 It only lasted a few seconds, but the feeling of undivided attention with care and Grace lasts forever. 

 I have absolutely no idea what the major issue was, but I will never forget the Grace he showed me in that moment.

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Grace:

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These actions didn’t require a lot of work out of my Grandpa and my Uncle.

However they left a never ending imprint of God’s love and Grace on my Soul.

We all tend to focus on the minutia of the day and have endless opportunities to show someone Love and Grace. 

If we are focused on the minutia, we will miss what is most important.

Be present and make someone feel important!

In Loving memory of my Grandpa from up North.

I Love you Grandpa and I’m confident now you are filled with Joy in Heaven.

 Ephesians 2:4-5 KJV