Just in case you've forgotten...

A few months ago, after Lindsey and I moved into our new house, I was standing at the street light on our corner and noticed a skeleton in front of the building across the street. It caught my eye mainly because of the randomness of a skeleton even being on a sidewalk, sitting as if that was where it belonged. A closer look revealed that the building must have previously been used as some kind of hospital/chiropracter's office/etc., but now the building was sitting empty and unused, and the skeleton was the one lonely hint of what had come before the vacancy.

Several weeks...a month...more than a month passed, and I continued to notice the skeleton in front of the building. Then one day, some remodlers came, and the inside of the building started taking on new colors. However, the skeleton remained. A few more weeks passed, and then one day I stood in front of the light deep in thought when I noticed--the skeleton was gone! A few days later, the remodler's scaffolding and canvas were pulled of the front of the new storefront to reveal a cute little wedding shop, with a new name--Grace.

I can't tell you how many times I've come out my front door, stood at the street light, and thought to myself, "How cool is God?! Every morning He reminds me of His grace. Even when I forget, He uses store fronts and signboards to remind me..."

As missionaries, we talk sometimes about how when God's light is brought into an area, the entire area changes. I don't remember ever specifically praying "against" that skeleton, or praying for God's grace to come into the area, but the "GRACE" that is portrayed on the signboard reminds me every day of the new life that comes when God's grace is given to us. Coincidence? I don't think so. Did it come from me? Not at all. Just a gift from a really good Savior...truly, His power, grace, light, and love change death and atmospheres of gloom and sadness to light, joy, and hope.

Every day I have to chuckle as I stand outside by that street light. It's as if God is saying, "In case you've forgotten what's important, let me give you a reminder...My grace." :)