Growing up it was my job to dry the dishes. I was sadly deprivcd of an automatic dishwasher - since they hadn't been invented. But each evening after dinner Mom would wash and I would dry and put away those enormous stacks of dishes, pots, pans and utensils required to make her good "southern-cooking."
It was a time when we'd talk and review the day. I'd tell her about school and she'd tell me which set of Priscilla Curtains she'd washed, starched and ironed that day or some such chore she'd conquered. We laughed at the cocker spaniel puppy playing in the yard and sometimes she'd put soap bubbles on my nose. This action stopped when I reached about 12 and became far too sophisticated for such antics.
The thing I remember most about doing the dishes (as we called it) with Mom was the day I dropped a plate and it broke into about 43 pieces, if I were to guess. I was so horrified and frightened. What would she do? What punishment would be doled out for such a huge trespass? It was not an"everyday" plate. It was the "good china," reserved for very special occasions. There was a looonnnggg moment of silence. I said "I'm sorry Mama."
She dried her hands on her apron (we all wore them then), placed her hands on my shoulders and said, "It's all right. It was an accident."
Astonished, I responded, "I thought you'd be mad! - It was a "good plate."
Smiling, Mama handed me the dust pan saying, "People are more important than things."
When I was first taught about the word "Grace" in the context of "God's grace," it was so simple for me to understand. I just remembered Mom and that plate. Mom showed me Jesus that day. When I had a little sister, and then my own children, I told them the same words when they broke their first dishes. I hope I showed them Jesus too.
---And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you." IICor. 12:9
Thankful for grace!
Patti and Cara
Classic Christianity
It was a time when we'd talk and review the day. I'd tell her about school and she'd tell me which set of Priscilla Curtains she'd washed, starched and ironed that day or some such chore she'd conquered. We laughed at the cocker spaniel puppy playing in the yard and sometimes she'd put soap bubbles on my nose. This action stopped when I reached about 12 and became far too sophisticated for such antics.
The thing I remember most about doing the dishes (as we called it) with Mom was the day I dropped a plate and it broke into about 43 pieces, if I were to guess. I was so horrified and frightened. What would she do? What punishment would be doled out for such a huge trespass? It was not an"everyday" plate. It was the "good china," reserved for very special occasions. There was a looonnnggg moment of silence. I said "I'm sorry Mama."
She dried her hands on her apron (we all wore them then), placed her hands on my shoulders and said, "It's all right. It was an accident."
Astonished, I responded, "I thought you'd be mad! - It was a "good plate."
Smiling, Mama handed me the dust pan saying, "People are more important than things."
When I was first taught about the word "Grace" in the context of "God's grace," it was so simple for me to understand. I just remembered Mom and that plate. Mom showed me Jesus that day. When I had a little sister, and then my own children, I told them the same words when they broke their first dishes. I hope I showed them Jesus too.
---And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you." IICor. 12:9
Thankful for grace!
Patti and Cara
Classic Christianity
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