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"Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,

Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!" from Grace Greater Than Our Sin

In 1994, around a year from the time my son was born, I had the opportunity to attend the Global Summit on Science Education in San Francisco. Needless to say, I was nervous about leaving my son, and his birthday was December 30, only one day after my return from the convention. I stayed with a professor from Texas A&M who introduced me to my idol at the time. His name was Bob Yager and he was, and still is, a leader in science education. The next day my professor friend rented a car and drove us around the town, which included crossing the massive Golden Gate Bridge. I was able to take the trip without any personal expense and saw the sights in that beautiful city, so it was well worth the experience. However, what happened on the trip home was what I truly remember (sounds familiar).

If you have ever been to San Francisco, you know that the weather is fairly cool and breezy and storms blow in from the ocean at numerous times throughout the year. A rather large storm was coming so I decided to try and take an earlier flight. I got to the airport and managed to get to the terminal a few hours early. I wanted to try and move up to the flight before mine. I was sincerely worried about getting back a day late for my son's first birthday. I walked to the counter and asked about the earlier flight and also told the lady at the counter that my son's birthday was the next day, hoping to get a little sympathy. She smiled and handed me a pass and said "Merry Christmas". I thought she was just being polite until I noticed the pass said "Row 3". I had been bumped to first class.

It was an experience I will probably never have again. Wide seats that leaned back. A full three-course meal. Enough leg room to prop up my feet. They even gave me little warm towels to wipe off my hands after the meal. I almost felt bad for those in coach. I had not paid for first class and I didn't deserve it. Yet there I was. The flight desk lady will never know what a gift it was for me. And the best part was that I made it back in plenty of time for my son's birthday.

I was reminded about this event while visiting my mom's church. The preacher talked about grace and relayed a similar story. He said a wealthy couple would buy first class tickets and always give up their seats to needy couples or soldiers. They loved the fact that they could give to people without asking for anything back. What a picture of grace. God gives us so much and asks for so little in return. He showers us with blessings and dreams and sits back and smiles when we are successful. I know we are taught about God's wrath and his punishment for sin, but I always enjoy the side of God that we hear about every so often (but not often enough). The God that loves us unconditionally and gives us what we don't deserve.

If God took away all my possessions and I lost everything this earth could offer, His grace would stand. Every minute of every day and every breath is a testimony to His grace. All we have to do is reach out our hand, and our heart, and take it. I leave you with the chorus from the song I mentioned at the start: Grace Greater Than Our Sin. Be thankful for His grace, and pass it on to someone else. That is the greatest present and the greatest testimony we have to give.

Grace, grace, God’s grace,

Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;

Grace, grace, God’s grace,

Grace that is greater than all our sin.