one long grace story

By Chelsea Spyres
 
I will admit, I don’t really get grace. I mean I get it in a way that I can define it, I can point out examples of it in my life, but how it shows up at the most unexpected moment, or how I am called to it when I want to run in the opposite direction takes my breath away.
 
At one point while in London we were meeting with folks who run a community café out of a local church. They shared about their journey in taking this big risk and how things did not always work out but those big risks were worth it for the sake of living out vision and call. They shared that sometimes in those big risks it meant sacrifice but sometimes it also meant receiving for themselves. In my journal towards the end of our time together I wrote these words big and bold:

ONE LONG GRACE STORY
 
At a point where we are continuing to ask the questions of where we as a church community are being called, what is the vision and call that God is giving to us, and what is God sharing with me, this reminder is timely and so crucial. Whatever comes next for St. Matthew’s and whatever comes next for me, it will be a part of one long grace story. And not only WILL it be true but it is true NOW.
 
God is at work now, weaving each of us into this ONE long grace story, many voices, many stories, many traditions, many experiences, many expectations, many hopes, many, many many….and yet one. There are days when that reality seems impossible, when our differences seem to great, and yet we are all part of the same story, what a cause for celebration.
 
The vision- still a work in progress, who needs to be around the table-still a work in progress, when something new should begin-still a work in progress, but the reality that God is present, that God is at work, that God is leading this slow process- very visible. And for that visible work of God I am grateful, and for now that seems like enough.

Below: Table of hospitality, warmth, and welcome for our closing meal with the House Community Café leaders