Exchanges Of Grace Lead To Holy Encounters.

by Eric Elkin

“Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. ”

— Exodus 34:29

Last summer, an older couple in the congregation needed help. A series of health setbacks left them unable to keep up with household chores. Their weekly house duties were replaced by physical therapy treatments, doctor visits, hospital stays, and trips to the pharmacy. The new health routines were taking a toll on both of them. When I stopped by to visit, their countenances were screaming for help.

For some strange reason, the nicest people are always reluctant to ask for help. Even when the ones offering assistance would consider it a privilege to help. Sensing this was the case, I cautiously asked them if they would be alright if I asked someone to mow their lawn. They jumped at the suggestion, indicating how difficult things had become.

Several retired men in the congregation I knew would gladly mow their lawn. But I was thinking of a young man entering his senior year of high school. How can we teach youth to care for the older generation if we never ask them to help? Plus, I was pretty confident he would jump at the chance.

I called Jack’s mother, told her the reason for my call, and asked for Jack’s cell phone number. It didn’t take long for him to get back to me. We talked through the situation and what was needed. The job would require mowing the grass and raking up the clippings. I would meet him at the house and help orient him to the mowers. The only question he asked was if he could bring a friend.

I was blown away when I met Jack at the couple’s house. He pulled up in a pickup truck with every professional tool needed for the best lawn care. The two young men spent a few minutes talking with Kathy, the wife, and off they went. This was not their first rodeo. They were skilled and hard-working. When the job was over, the young men refused payment. The gift of giving was more precious than gold.

“Spread love everywhere you go.”

— Mother Teresa

As this summer approached, I knew caring for the lawn would be an even bigger chore for the couple. I called Jack and asked if he would consider mowing their lawn on a regular basis. He needed to know this would be a bigger commitment than a one-time deal. He jumped at the opportunity. I told him they would want to pay him, but he still refused.

Last week I got a call from Kathy. She told me how wonderful it has been having Jack mow the lawn all summer. They want to pay him, but he keeps refusing. So they decided to donate to the church to honor Jack and his service. But Jack would have to choose where to direct the gift. She called to let me know Jack wanted the money to go towards the Confirmation ministry.

Moses had a unique conversation with God. The two of them talked as though they were friends. When the conversation was over, Moses’ face shone with the glory of God. The radiance did not come from the words but from being in the presence of the Almighty. I did not look at my face when I hung up the phone from talking to Kathy, but I felt like I had encountered God in our conversation.

What made the conversation holy was listening to the exchanges of grace. Grace is the free and undeserved love of God. Jack’s willingness to serve at no cost was an act of grace. Less apparent was the willingness of Dan and Kathy to admit their needs. By opening themselves up for help, they gave a young man a chance to act in faith. They gave as much, and maybe even more, than they received. I love hearing these stories. They remind me that human beings are the language of God. When grace is exchanged, we quickly find ourselves walking on holy ground, and our lives radiate from the experience.

Click to read Exodus 34: 29-35