Grace and Regrets
by J. Ellsworth Kalas
A few months ago I had an experience of grace and then of regret, all within a few seconds. I’m still sad that I wasn’t alert enough to seize the moment for all it was worth.
It happened in a men’s rest room in the Raleigh-Durham airport. I had washed my hands and was following up by wiping dry the area around the sink when I heard someone behind me say, “Thank you!” I turned to find the source and discovered that it was the man whose job it was to maintain the rest rooms. This was a moment of grace, a reward from a man I’d never met and would not meet again at least, not on planet earth. Unfortunately, I was so flustered that I just smiled selfconsciously, said “Thank you” in return, and hurried on out.
That’s when the regret hit me. I wished immediately that I had paused long enough to say another sentence or two; a wish for a good evening, or a “God bless you” or that I had shaken the man’s hand. In fact, looking back on it I wish I had embraced him, though I’m sure that would have thrown the men’s rest room into uneasy confusion. It’s just that the attendant’s thanking me for doing what common humanity should compel one to do deserved more response than I gave him. Grace caught me off guard.
Grace comes to us in so many shapes, sizes, and varieties, but it is always amazing. At its grandest level, of course, it is the grace that is “greater than all our sins.” But grace comes in other forms too, some of which the Holy Spirit translates into prevenient grace. In its common form it is the sun rising in the morning, the breeze on a summer day, and the tree outside my study window. Then, there’s the grace of human relationships. I believe that this is still our Father’s world and thus grace is often extended by persons who don’t know that they are carriers.
But you and I who know so much about grace, who talk about it, teach and preach about it, and sing about it as we go through our day, we ought to recognize grace sooner and more gladly than anyone. Even in a culture where corruption and shoddiness seem more assertive every day, there is grace: those moments of holy surprise, when quite ordinary people and quite routine circumstances glow for a moment with loveliness. God is not only still in His heavens, God is just around the corner in our world, showing His grace in all kinds of places.
When you see it, give thanks to God and do what you can to thank a person, as fully and impulsively as you can. Even in a store aisle or an airport restroom. Because even in its smallest venues, grace is amazing, and ought to be celebrated. I regret that I didn’t do more to thank the rest room attendant for his grace to me. I’m doing penance today by telling you the story.
Thank you Dr. Kalas, for your wonderful words on grace. The topic caught my attention and I am glad I stopped to read it. As is usual with all your writing, it is a beautiful article that makes accessible a very elusive yet extremely important Christian doctrine.
It never occurred to me to wipe up the dry area around a public sink. However, thanks for the story. Too often, the many people who “serve” do not receive the recognition and respect they deserve.
Dr. Kalas, thank you for just being the warm, kind, thoughtful, Spirit-led servant that you are. Your great humility is truly inspiring. Your good works in building His kingdom on earth will surely follow you into His eternal kingdom. I was sorry to read today of the passing of Dr. Dennis Kindlaw’s precious sister. You and he are both blessed and endowed with great spiritual gifts used to the fullest in building His kingdom. May our Lord bless, protect, and keep you.
What a great example if grace We take for granted. An eye opener for all of us. I an so glad Grace is not given by how we show appreciation.
Thanks
Such a good essay on grace. THANK YOU, Ellsworth. Shalom, Don
Beautiful word and thought provoking
Thanks Dr Kalas for this very special reminder of where and with whom we might experience Grace. Too much taken for granted causing us to miss such opportunities. Those who afford us most of life’s ;amenities are too often overlook by us. You experience shared make me more thoughtful and observing of the “little” blessings that we to often miss along the way. Thanks again for sharing this great truth.You ever grateful friend, Ed
I am sharing this beautiful commentary on grace with my family. Thank you.
Thank you Dr. Kalas. Your inspirational writing is enjoyed every month. I especially appreciated last month’s insight about God’s mercy in “Manna this Morning”. Blessings. Wade
A needed and timely reminder! Thank you for encouraging us with your words and your story. I will keep my eyes open and my heart ready to appreciate His grace. We think so much about giving it to others I think we miss when God is trying to give it to us! I know I do.
Brother Kalas, I needed your grace message that reached right to the center of my heart. Thank you.
God bless you Ellsworth. Thank you for your words, prayers, and deep thoughts.
God bless you. This hit home in just the right time. At our church we are doing the study “The Wesleyan Way.” and this is what we covered in last week’s lesson.
Thank You Doctor