For by grace you have been saved through faith.  And this is not your own doing:  it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  — Ephesians 2:8-9

This past weekend I was shown a near perfect picture of what grace looks like.  I bought my mom and dad tickets to see the play of the Pilgrim’s Progress in Greenville at the Logos Theater.  We left in plenty of time, and I was so excited to see this for the second time.  When we got there, the lady scanned my ticket, and a big red outline appeared on her screen.  She looked at the ticket and said, “These were for last week’s showing.”

The blood drained from my face and a great big sinking feeling just engulfed me.  I went to the ticket booth and just said, “I messed up . . . we were supposed to come last week.”  She told me to go and see the lady at the door.  I told the lady at the door the same thing I told the lady at the ticket window.  She immediately, without hesitation, led us to four seats that were better than the ones I paid for and had expired.  There was no “stinks to be you,” “you should have paid more attention,” “I’ll bet you pay more attention next time,” none of that.   I felt badly that there was none of that because that is exactly what I deserved.

I sat there and watched the play with the most grateful attitude I believe I’ve ever had.  Christian was at the scene with Apollyon accusing him.  Apollyon pointed out every time he had gotten off the narrow path and let him know that his faithfulness to the King hadn’t been that great.  Christian simply said, “But the king is merciful . . . I have confessed my sins, and the King is faithful and just to forgive me.”  I thought of the many times I’ve dishonored the God I say I love and strayed from the narrow path He asks me to walk.  Just like the ticket lady letting me in and giving me great seats . . . this is how God has treated me my whole life.  I might have had the purest, most childlike faith I’ve ever had for that couple of hours in that theater.  

I hope I never forget.

Lord, how great are You and Your ways?  How does one such as I put my faith in You, fail at so many turns, and You still give me Your best?  I’m so thankful that You are nothing like us.  We are made in Your image, yet we project our attitudes and ways onto You and begin to believe You are like us.  We put people in their place and treat them like we think they deserve to be treated.  Thank You, Jesus for not treating us as we treat others.  You showed me exactly what You are like through the ticket lady.  Bless her, keep her, and make Your face to shine upon her.  I don’t know that I’ve ever been more thankful for the salvation that You offer, and the gift that You are as I sit here typing this.  Thank You!  Amen!