Many decades ago I received the gift of a
finely crafted damask-lace doily (a small hand-made silk ornamental mat) that I
then used for several years under a coarse lead-crystal flower vase on the
polished wooden surface of the mantelpiece in my home library.
In South New Zealand’s cooler climate
(where I lived at the time) the fireplace was used regularly and the
mantelpiece required frequent dusting. As the vase and doily were moved so
often, the delicate lace doily gradually became very frayed around the edges.
Because I possessed neither the skills nor
the lace-making bobbins and silk threads to repair this fine damask napery, I
kept it in this tattered condition for many years, perhaps in respect to the
giver. I guess that I was comfortable in the knowledge that the centre of the
now-ragged doily remained in excellent condition and was still functioning
well.
Eventually I somewhat reluctantly discarded
it, but not before reflecting on God’s grace in our lives being like that
doily.
When our life circumstances become frayed
all around the edges, God’s grace is still functioning perfectly in the centre
– we are still treasured, loved and blessed by Him. Our worst days are never so
bad that we are beyond the reach of God's grace; our best days are never so good
that we are beyond the need of God's grace.
This is how it has always been. Even in Old
Testament times God’s grace was the perfect centre, blessing and providing
salvation to frayed and ragged lives. As we contemplate a God who never changes
(Malachi 3:6) let us thank Him for the amazing grace that blesses our lives.
Lionel Hartley 22 June 2013