A Grace-filled Life
Today at Bible Study, my friend Peg shared the next stage in her earthly journey. Peg has battled cancer for 11 years and without a miracle she is entering her last phase of this life. It took a lot of courage for her to stand in front of over 100 women who love her. We sniffed out loud as she spoke. Our Peg has a lot of courage.
The thing that gets to me about Peg is her grace-filled life. She’s not perfect…but grace isn’t about us being perfect because Jesus already is. She spreads that grace around everywhere she goes. Bald and sick my friend sparkles. I sometimes wonder if it’s because she’s down to what matters most in life. Him. The love of her life. Jesus. Faith is not religion with Peg…it’s real life living. Jesus shines from her all over anyone standing in her sight. Then there’s the way she loves us…the way Jesus loves her. You gotta love that about a friend. A friend who knows I’m not perfect and loves me anyway. A friend who lavishes me with grace I don’t always deserve. She stands close to the Grace-giver - in fact I can say with great confidence…she is constantly in His presence and as He fills up her cup she splashes the abundance on us.
So what does a grace-filled life look like? A lot like Jesus when He walked this earth. I mean think of it…the baby born in the manger also hung on the cross…and asked God to forgive those who beat Him bloody, mocked Him, and then…killed Him. Not one of them deserved His favor but He gave it anyway. Really. He PRAYED for them. How many of us would do that or would we be more likely to curse them?
Peg lives like Jesus died…and you know what is absolutely amazing? In this grace-filled living my friend is free. I’m not talking about the kind of liberty we enjoy here in America. I mean the kind that shows she is free in every nook and cranny of her heart. She lives in total forgiveness and this leads to the freedom that is eternal and not based on a political party or a vote (although I so appreciate our freedoms and rights in this country!). She is free from regret, anger, malice, manipulation, or any other thing we humans can throw at each other. She knows the favor/merit/salvation she received from Jesus Christ is undeserved. She gave up on thinking she “deserved” anything long ago. In fact, she counts her suffering as a privilege - man…I am so not there!
And, she is forgiving. When I make a mistake, she isn’t quick to correct me…but she has this wonderful smile…that’s what she gives me knowing the Holy Spirit will be leading me to right behavior and until then, I’m okay with her!
We’re both ragamuffins…saved by a ragamuffin Gospel. (Check out author Brennan Manning and you’ll see what I mean)
Even though my friend’s illness is weakening her body…Peg is one powerful woman. You can feel it when she sits next to you and sometimes after a hug I feel like a tiny bit is transferred from her to me somehow. Her power is not of this world.
This time of farewell is the hardest thing her family may ever face and although her destination is heaven, she is glad for every day she can be with her precious ones. She told us today she lives in the now with her hands wide open. We knew that. We are eyewitnesses to this most wonderful woman and her grace-filled life. While her life here may be winding down…it is not ending. Because she has accepted the Grace-gift of God, Jesus Christ, she is going to live forever…but it’s even more than that…she’s going to live in the presence of her Grace-giver while we wait to join her. When that day arrives, we will mourn but I think it will be tinged with wonder…I will wonder…what is Peg up to with Jesus today? I’ll have no idea but I know it will be good. I know there are 4 things I will feel:
-I will grieve for her family-I will be homesick for my friend
-I will be glad for my friend
-I will be glad for Jesus…His good friend will be with Him… I know she is delighting Him here so how much more will He enjoy her there?! Peg…I love you so much my grace-filled sparkling for Jesus friend!
Debbie Brown on 07 Nov 2008 at 10:07 pm #
Joy, thank you for sharing your thoughts and your heart. You said it perfectly. Peg is a wonderful woman who teaches us all how to love better and how to be thankful in the hard times. We love you, Peggy!!
Debbie Brown
Gloria Stumvoll on 11 Nov 2008 at 4:46 am #
Joy,
I sit in awe while I read your tribute to Peg - not in awe because I didn’t already know this, but it is a beautiful reminder for what a grace-filled woman Peg is. I have NEVER met anyone who loves Jesus more than she does and openly shares that with everyone she comes in contact with. Part of me rejoices for her pain and suffering will be over and her journey will take her back home; the other part of me grieves selfishly as I can’t imagine life at Calvary without Peggy. She has been a rock of stability, courage, an example of the faith that I can only hope for, and above all - a real, genuine, loving, compassionate person. It’s all because of you, Peg, that Jesus shines so brightly. He will be standing with open arms to welcome you when that day comes. Until then, may he grant you peace, comfort, and time to spend with those who mean the most to you. Thank you, my dear friend.
Louise Paurus on 11 Nov 2008 at 11:10 pm #
Dear Pecious Peg and Joy filled Joy!
Thank you for much for sharing this with us, Joy. I had heard what a beautiful story of love and faith Peg shared last week, I just feel so privileged to have you share your heart with me and others in this way Joy.
I too have been so blessed, warmed and loved by Precious Peggy! Her life has ministered to me whenever I have seen her. She doesn’t have to say a word, its her presence, the sweet presence of Jesus that is so evident in her life.
So to both of you my friends, Peg and Joy thank you for sharing your hearts with me, I am indeed a very blessed wayfaring pilgrim to know and love you.
I continue to pray for you, Peg and your dear sweet family. Your life to me is a taste of what I can anticipate at the grand reunion in heaven when I see you and my wonderful parents and grandparents who are waiting to welcome me there!!
Louise
Loring Hammond on 24 Nov 2008 at 2:58 pm #
Joy,
I’m so jealous of you that you get to be so near my lovely sister in law. When I married her husband’s brother, I had no idea the amazing gift I had received in this family! We live so far away in Florida that we don’t see them much. Each time, my kids ask if she is still sick, because she doesn’t act sick. She lives every moment. Not that she doesn’t ever feel bad, but she makes the most of all the time she feels good. When Paul and I visited in their home last, we vowed to be more like them. We want to throw out the unimportant junk of our lives and spend our time on what matters - Jesus, kids, grandkids, telling the world about Jesus, loving others. Isn’t that Peg in a nutshell? What freedom to not worry about the expectations or opinions of others, or whether the house is spotless, or how to make time for this or that. Just do it! We get so bogged down in trying to figure out “how” to live that we forget to live!
I believe in miracles. I believe that Peg can live to a ripe old age. I also know that my brain is too small to figure out God, and sometimes the result is not what we would choose. What we can choose is to honor Peg with our love for her, but also with our love for others, following her amazing example. Peggy when you read this, know that we are praying for and loving you, and we are committed to “follow you, as you follow Christ” as Paul said. Thanks for being “Jesus with skin on” for us.
Joy on 16 Dec 2008 at 10:32 pm #
Hello! I’m so glad you all felt comfortable responding…I’ll let Peg know your comments are out here.
I saw her last week and well…she looked lovely. Shining Jesus all over me and everyone within sight!
Loring…I’m with you - I believe in miracles too! Let’s keep praying for one together.
If God chooses another path for our Peggy…we will both grieve and rejoice. Heaven will be eternally richer and we will miss her until we join Jesus and He shows us to Peg’s place … oh friends … I can only imagine!