Rachel and I were in the kitchen, Christmas music filled the air. I was mixing up a batch of Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies while Rachel was completing her homework. With each ingredient added to the mix I called out spelling or vocabulary words. “Rachel, what does the word ‘translate’ mean?” I glanced down to my recipe to read “add ½ cup of chopped Andes mints.”
Back and forth we went: question and ingredient, question and ingredient, question and mix. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. The aroma of mint and chocolate permeated the kitchen, our tummies growled. Rachel said “Your gonna give me a cookie or else!” I replied “Your gonna finish your homework or else!” We both laughed at our banter and the baking and homework continued.
Seeing the sweet treat on the cooling rack, Rachel jumped down off the bar stool and walked around to me. With a stern look she said “You see this face, this is my grace face! You don’t want to see my dark side…and believe me there is a dark side.” The with three snaps of her fingers in a ‘Z’ formation she said, “Now, give me a cookie!” I laughed and said “oh yeah grace face huh, well finish your homework first.”
We laughed and she finished her words while I poured us each a glass of milk to enjoy with our Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Grace Face...
Those words have lingered in my mind. The expression of my face translates what is hidden deep within my heart. Am I translating those around me my grace face? If I were to be honest, those I love the most probably see my dark side more than my grace face.
It was not by coincidence that the following Sunday, our Pastor shared from the book Philemon. A book about grace and peace. The author Paul, encourages the reader to be willing to forgive others no matter what they do to you.
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”. -Philemon 3
My prayer for you this Christmas is to extend grace and peace to those around you. Check your heart in the mirror to make sure you are wearing your Grace Face.
Merry Christmas!
~April
“May you and I be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” Romans 1:12