Celebrating Grace

I took students to a work weekend at The Pittsburgh Project this weekend, and had a grand discussion on Lent with one of the staff (who just happens to attend our church and did student ministry back in the day).

She was enjoying some chai tea Sunday morning when I commented on how much I missed my morning coffee, especially since one of my kids gave me her sore throat (what a sweet gift, just what I've always wanted).  She told me that she had actually gave up chai tea for Lent, and before I could call her a weak-willed heathen, she explained her theology.

We are not completely entrapped by sin.  God has set us free, and it is that freedom and grace that is celebrated when you get to enjoy whatever it is you gave up on Sundays.  You end up looking forward to Sundays, and appreciating the Sabbath even more.  It's not 'cheating', as if you're on a diet and you're indulging when you shouldn't.  It's merely a celebration that God has paid the price for our sin, and that is a free gift that we have not earned.

So, on Sunday, Hubs had a Dr Pepper with dinner, and this morning (because I didn't convince him of this reasoning until dinner, and I didn't want to be up all night), I got to enjoy a cup of coffee.  Nay, I got to revel in a delicious, warm, sweet mug of awesomeness.  Maybe you think that those words are too strong for a morning tradition that most people take for granted, but you try going without for a month and see how much you enjoy it.  It was a great gift, that I have not earned.  And as I enjoyed my coffee with a magazine, I was reminded of God's grace, which doesn't give up on us.