That's Grace

When I read Matthew 20, the Parable of the Vineyard Workers, I find my natural inclination is to consider and appreciate the grace of God: the wonderful, irrational and abundant grace. God’s love that is so extravagant it isn’t fair! How incredible that He bestows the same goodness on the last workers as He did upon the early risers.

And while it’s good to be impressed by that, I have to remind myself not to end there. Happy awe of God’s goodness isn’t a bad reaction, but it shouldn’t be the totality of my response. This passage is also a call to extend grace to others with a similar attitude of abundance.

This has been very prevalent the past month, as our family welcomed two new foster sons, ages 7 and 8. These past weeks have been full of humorous mishaps, sweet moments, and plenty of chaos. It feels like throwing a birthday party in the middle of a hurricane: I am desperate to maintain some semblance of order (bathtime, brushing teeth) and reinforce family expectations, but also, encourage as much joy and play as possible, because laughter is crucial to getting children to feel safe, in helping them to settle.

In the midst of all this, there have been a few conflicts between our newest additions and our other children: toys were broken, fists were raised, bad language was spoken. And yes, these behaviors must be addressed. But what the Holy Spirit has been teaching me, in light of raising and discipling my children, is that fairness does not trump grace. In fact, it’s quite the opposite; grace is superior. Grace is godly.

My default is fairness. It’s easier, it’s more direct. Get what you’ve earned. Get what you deserve. It’s more straightforward in every part of life, from parenting to grape-picking.

Oh, but what does this parable in Matthew teach? What is the overarching message of the Gospel? The answer is, in part, the joyful realization that I have personally been offered, through the sacrifice of Jesus, what I never could have earned. That isn’t fair. That’s grace.

But the other part is a challenge to live out that kind of grace and exemplify Jesus in my daily life, especially in my relationships with others. Especially when it isn't 'fair'. I am called to extend a similar irrational, abundant grace toward others, too.

It’s not automatic; it’s intentional. And it is what has been disrupting my inherent bent toward ‘fairness’ recently. In the chaos of my busy mothering, I am reminding myself to pause and choose grace over fairness. It’s a conscious effort, and I’ve not perfected it. Thank God, when I do mess it up, well, right there is another lesson in grace!