the debt of grace

Sometimes my friend Amelia lets the Lady hold her wedding ring. There are a lot of ways to bond with a four year old girl, but this by far has proven to be quite successful.

Little girls do love pretty, shiny things.

In her hand is not simply a sparkly, expensive thing, that a man gave to the woman he loves. It is a symbol of forever love, the proof of a vow that links two people for all time.

We often hold more than we realize.

I keep looking at this photo of my daughter, so full of glee and joy. She is feeling loved by her grown-up friend, and loving her in return.

Our friendships can teach us a great deal about broader things.

In the grand exchange of love we call friendship, we hold the heart and soul of someone else in our own. But like my daughter and the ring, we hold more than other people; we hold God.

I think of the people He has given me to hold. It is a holy calling to care for God’s children, whether they are young or old, neighbors or family, a friend or an enemy. The calling brings to my mind this beautiful verse written two hundred fifty years ago, that graces the walls of my home:

“O to grace how great a debtor

Daily I’m constrained to be!

Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,

Bind my wandering heart to Thee.

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,

Prone to leave the God I love;

Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,

Seal it for Thy courts above.”

I am bound tightly to the great debt I owe to the God of all love, a debt that has become my precious treasure, a jewel to cherish, and a sweet reminder of promises that He will never break.

Here’s my heart, Lord, take and seal it….