About 20 years ago we were in Michigan on a beautiful Lake vacationing with our kids and some family friends. After a long day of boating and fishing we sat around a campfire, roasting marshmallows, telling stories and singing songs. We sang the classic Christian hymn "Amazing Grace" and as soon as we had finished, our friend's 5 year old daughter, Kelly, looked at us and in all seriousness said, "Who was Grace and why was she so amazing?" We doubled over in laughter and quickly explained that Grace was not a person.

Here's the deal, I think there are plenty of people who have sung that old classic hymn and are just as clueless as little Kelly was. What is grace after all?

grace: noun the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners

In this day and age where we are rewarded for our performance, it is difficult to grasp that we can get something for nothing. As I write this, I am sitting here with 2 of my grandchildren, 6 yr. old Claire and 8 yr. old Finn, who are spending the week with me. I just scrambled them eggs, topped with ketchup smiley faces. I went out early and I got them their favorite donuts, chocolate frosted with sprinkles. I would do anything for them! And what do I require of them? Nothing! Do I love them when they spit ketchup on my couch? YES! Do I love them when they mess up the bedroom? YES! I love them no matter what! There is nothing that they need to do to earn my love and there is nothing that they could do to lose my love!

Finn and Claire are favored just because they are part of my family. When you say "Yes" to God, you are part of His family and you are favored! You are loved no matter what! It doesn't matter how much you have screwed up, you can't be unloved!

And that is a little bit about Grace and why she is so amazing.

"WHO WAS GRACE AND WHY WAS SHE SO AMAZING?"