WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13

Now unto God who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20)

Grace Lights

“Hey, Pastor Kate, could you help me with some pictures that I’m taking for the church’s calendar?” “Sure, Betty. When do you want to get together?”

“How about next Wednesday afternoon? We’ll meet in the sanctuary. For this shot I want to show our Communion Table all set up like we have it when we have The Lord’s Supper. I think it would be a cool picture to have a woman’s hands breaking the bread.”

I was delighted with the invitation. We placed the bread and cup on the table and Betty asked, “Rev. Kate would you hold these grace lights for me while I take a few shots of just the table itself?” “What are grace lights, Betty?” “Oh, they are an extra set of lights that photographers use to bring out certain characteristics of the scene.” “Interesting name.” “Yeah.”

So I held them as she snapped the scene from different angles. When the pictures were developed, we were both astounded. The scene where the grace lights shone on the bread and cup transcended what we designed. The bread was reflected in the chalice and the flagon. Lights reflected off of the polished silver pitcher like candles. The red of the Communion tablecloth—a powerful symbol of the Holy Spirit—danced in the red reflections caught in both vessels.

That day I received a valuable lesson in being asked to simply hold the grace lights. They helped to point to those glimpses of sacramental moments. It didn’t matter that I was not at the center of the picture. Yet, as it so often happens with grace, I got to contribute to a larger picture of profound, timeless meaning. I felt I had experienced how God’s grace dances in our lives in so many unexpected ways—far greater than we could ever imagine or orchestrate ourselves.

God of such grace and God of glory, thank you for all those people who hold up those grace lights in our lives that enhance the meaning and beauty in our everyday lives. Help us to be aware of your invitations to bear those lights of your grace to others. Amen.

Kate Thoresen