Ordinary Time 
Pause
Nobody ever wants grace until they reach that point where they don’t just want it, they absolutely need it. Grace always comes undeserved and often unexpected. But when grace arrives, there really is nothing sweeter.
Welcoming God’s grace is an act of trust. Extending God’s grace is an act of mercy. They are two sides of the same coin. When the opportunity arrives to welcome grace, only a fool would pass it by.
Listen
"Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me."
Matthew 10:40
Think
We are all made in the image of God. You would think that our impressive pedigrees would solve many of the world’s problems! But, of course, that is not how it works. “Whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.” Whoever serves Jesus, serves the maker as well. This is not a call to pride. This is a call to humility.
We forget that on a regular basis. How can we live so oblivious to our connectedness? How can we be directed back to the things that are most important, like love, peace, and grace? How might you welcome grace into your daily walk?
David Schaefers
Pray
God of grace, you welcome me into your embrace even though I am undeserving. You walk beside me even when I am oblivious. Help me to be open to your grace. Help me to welcome it. Help me to wrap myself in its warmth. Amen.
Go
God knows that we are not perfect! We are on a journey that has peaks and valleys, but the important thing isn’t the destination, it is our traveling partner. God extends grace to us, sometimes when we know we need it; sometimes when we don’t know. Welcoming the grace of God is the first step along the path to a new life.
God knows that we learn from our mistakes. We grow wiser with each day and with each new experience. By the grace of God, we grow! Thank God for that and step out into uncharted adventures, where God’s grace abounds.
