Is There Grace and Coffee in Your Neck of the Woods?

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,

Titus 2:11 CSB

            What type of subdivision do you live in? Is it a new development or manufactured in the 1960’s? Maybe you live on a farm, or in a high-rise penthouse in New York City. Are you in the suburbs or an urban area outside a larger city? I live in the very same house I was born and raised in. We purchased it from my mom and dad when they decided to travel. I raised my son in it and he will someday raise his kids in it. Often when my son comes into the house he will state, “It smells like grandma’s house, warm and coffee.” I don’t know what warm smells like, but to him that is how he remembers the time my parents lived there, before we bought it. When you remember how you were raised and the home you lived in when growing up, you might have very fond memories or maybe some tragic and difficult ones. Each of us has a grand story about the home we lived in, the area of town, the way we were raised, and the experiences we have had. But, whatever neck of the woods you come from, God’s grace abounds.

              Where we live is often a status thing. There is an area in my home town called “The Desirable West Side”. Some people can only dream of living there, others will only live there. There are areas of town that no one wants to live, yet some can only afford to live. Unfortunately, humans often believe that having status is what will get them what they want or a feeling they believe they are searching for. We work hard so we believe we are happy and have joy. We desire to move to “that” neighborhood or live in “that” town because it is where we imagine we will find happiness. Yet, the subdivision we live in has no bearing on our God and the grace He desires to give to all of us.

            We are all sinners; we are all broken. We all want joy and healing for our lives. But instead of turning to Grace, we will turn to “that” in order to find what we are missing. God’s salvation is for all people, though. He has grace for every single one of us no matter where we live, what we do for a living, how much we have sinned or what we are searching for. In “The Ragamuffin Gospel” by Brennan Manning, he points out that the gospel of Jesus and His plan for our salvation, is for every single one of us; all of us ragamuffins and have done everything except deserve the grace of God.

            Are you an addict, hiding from others because you know how bad it is and are embarrassed? God has grace and salvation for you. Are you the one who works long hours because you believe it brings status, yet you have lost relationships with family and friends because you are never around? God has grace and salvation for you. Are pregnant with your fifth child from four different men? God has grace and salvation for you. Are you hiding something you hope no one ever finds out about? God has grace and salvation for you. Are you mean? Simply mean to everyone because you hurt so badly? God has grace and salvation for you. Which ever subdivision of shame and guilt you live in, God sees you and wants to know you. He already knows how bad things have gotten for you. He already knows how bad things were 10 years ago. He already knows the horribleness you are facing right now, but He chooses to just see you in love.

            Can you picture it or even imagine how a God you may not even understand or know very little about can love you so much? He wants you in His family. He doesn’t care what you have done or even if you will do it again, He wants to know you. He doesn’t see you as sin, but as a story that He wants to know. He wants to hear your whole story and meet you at any place with His grace. He wants to be part of your story and help you find joy in it and bring you out at the end with salvation and eternal life.

            What I love so much about this gracious God is He never looks at me from the surface, only from the heart. He doesn’t see I am a hot mess today, crying because I feel lonely. He doesn’t see when I am selfish and think only about myself and only make decisions based on what is best for me. He only sees how much He loves me and wants to get me through the tough times. The God of grace didn’t see a young lady who had lived for years with a man out of wedlock, and left him with a one-year-old baby in tow. When he reached down and grabbed me He only saw Susan, who needed joy, and was looking for it in every place but in Him. Yet, He scooped me up in my mess and turned my life around. He only did this because He had tremendous love for me and wanted me to know His grace.

            For the next 6 weeks, I am living in a trailer. You may be living in a trailer, hotel, small home that needs fixing, your dream home, or on the streets. You may be going through the toughest time of your life or things may be exactly how you had imagined them. Wherever your story is leading, God’s grace is ready to show up for you. Don’t you want it? Isn’t peace, grace, joy, what you are looking for? Turn to Christ, He has it all set for you and won’t charge you an arm and a leg for rent or a house payment. It’s free! Try living in His subdivision and find out how great it feels. His home is free to all who believe and trust in Him. Isn’t it worth a try in order to find the joy and peace you want? Give Christ a try, you will find His room is more comfortable than the one you are in right now.

If you desire to know Christ this is prayer is all you need. He will hear you when you say it, whether out loud or in silent, with others or alone. He wants to know you now! He knows if you have fallen away from Him, or have never known Him and He will accept you. Pray this prayer if you are ready to join in HIs joy and peace.

A Prayer for Knowing Christ

Dear God in heaven, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I acknowledge to You that I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins and the life that I have lived: I need your forgiveness. I believe that Your son Jesus Christ shed His blood on the cross and died for my sins, and I am willing to turn from my sin. You said in the bible that if we confess the Lord our God and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we will be saved. Right now I confess Jesus as my Lord. With my heart, I believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. This very moment I accept Jesus Christ as my own personal Savior and according to His Word, right now I am saves. Amen.