Grace-full

Strength for today, hope for tomorrow. Receiving a blessing or encouragement as an unwarrented or unexpected gift. A motivator that has the unlimited power to compell those who have been touched by its light it to great deeds of charity and kindness. A doctrine that separates Christianity from all other pretenders. A perfect life-blood that was shed for our imperfection to oonce again be made clean and pure. A season of redemption, a ray of hope, a word of kindness, a gift without repayment, risk with great reward, and a power to life one from the depths of earth to the height of the heavens: Grace. What an incredibly awe-inspiring concept! To imagine such an idea whilst living in a world of arroganace and selfish desire seems to be unthinkable; and yet, the refuge of imagination has become the strongold of reality. People are constantly striving to find their own way. Absorbed within their daily quests to ascend the staricase of fame and fotune they keep guard for "number one" while trampling those that surround underfoot. The montrous reality is that this process is repeated not only on a daily basis, but, many times, without guilt or apology as well. Something about this seems out of place. I often sense that many people have a vague premonition of what they are doing and would like to cease and reverse their direction and actions if they know how. If they only knew how.... If only...we could show them. What would happen if someone decided to break outside of the veritable prison of the modern rat race and begin to act in accordance with grace. What would result if this person became an example, in word and deed, to those surrounding him? Would people see the power of grace? Would they respond? And in just what manner would you answer their questions? What would would it take for you to live a life not merely seasoned but permeated with grace? Are you willing to change the world by example?

As you may probably be able to tell, my mind has been turning this concept over for an amount of time and has readily adopted it as a source of inspiration. And what better source of inspiration than that of grace? I experienced grace in so many incredible and life-changing ways this Summer that, upon reflection, I can't help but stand amazed, left with a desire to go out and return the ultimate favor to someone else. As I reflected upon the grace of this Summer and the special people that passed a knowledge of their gift onto me through example, my responce was one of thankfulness to God - the provider and Creator of grace. God who sought fit to give to even someone like me, a sad specimen trapped wearing the binding clothing of the world about me....but set free by the bearer of good news and given hope for the future through grace and forgiveness. Thus inspired, I wrote this little work. Let me know what you think ;-)

~ Jon ~

Daughter of Grace

Written at Camp Li-Lo-Li – Summer 2006
In part to resolve the many inspiring thoughts swirling in head at that time and also in part for....someone else.

In time she stands,
Words unopposed,
On the wings of wind she prances,
Carefree laughing, creating dances.

Daughter of Grace,
Smiles so sweet,
Her sunrise is my morning ever,
As I undertake each endeavor.

Rose of her cheeks,
Grace of her steps,
Prompt me to smile and stand in awe,
Her footprints of beauty I saw.

I’d been asleep,
In deep of night,
When spirit slipped away from me,
‘Ere she had set my prison free.

A slave to World,
And evil men,
I wore their clothes and saw no stains,
World held me fast in my own chains.

World didn’t know all,
One part he missed,
The daughter of the exiled King,
Dares to let bells of freedom ring.

At end of day,
She came to me,
I stared into her eyes like stars,
From behind my cold cell wall bars.

She spoke unto me,
Her voice was like song,
She asked me why I stayed trapped there,
Weighted down by all World’s cares.

I tripped for words,
And looked down,
But she lifted her voice in song,
And sang of His grace to right wrong.

She said it’s free,
This grace given me,
She bowed her head and spoke of her King,
And of the salvation He brings.

Moved to my core,
With tears in my eyes,
I asked for the Gift and strength to believe,
My prison of chains was relieved.

Who is this Child?
A savior of men?
Nay to the latter – She’s His Child,
Daughter of grace, meek and mild.

Through His good grace,
And Her innocence,
My life’s true foundation was built,
Rooted in love I will not wilt.

Through His good news,
Brought by a child,
My life was changed, a world renewed,
And World’s distortion construed.

World’s pow’r tested,
Tried, found wanting,
I chose King’s love at His expense,
And I’m in debt to Innocence.

Though World still tempts,
Remember your King,
The beauty of true purity,
Life, love and light for all to see.

Happy am I,
To have seen love,
Grateful that World could not touch you,
I pray this blessing continues,
Pure, that you’ll remain always,
A true Daughter of Grace and sense,

Redemptive Child of Innocence.