From Grief to Grace

Romans 20:5 -- "But where sin increased, grace increased all the more."

image: Kelly Babb Dalton

The breaks screamed against the forward momentum of my red '91 Pontiac Sunbird and finally brought the vehicle to a complete stop on the side of the road. Hands shaking and knees wobbling, I slowly crossed the blacktop and timidly approached the grass that grew on the easement of Oakwood Circle. Tears had already begun to poor down the sides of my face and I didn't care that my make-up had been ruined for Sunday morning services at First Baptist Dickson, Tennessee.

In fact, the only thing about which I could bring myself to care was the tiny twitching body of the squirrel that ran under the front of my car as I rounded the last corner. I wanted desperately to pick him up and rush him to the vet. My heart was broken.

When the little animal drew in his last little breath I sunk down into the grass and sobbed - all the while whispering to the poor creature that I was so, so sorry.

I can't even begin to imagine the agony one must feel when the accidental collision involves a human being instead of a little scruffy tree rat.

But the late Mark Hatfield could.

While driving his mother's car at the tender age of 17 Mark accidentally hit Alice Marie Lane when she tried to cross the street. And while Mark was cleared of all criminal charges against him, he was later taken to civil court by Lane's family. No amount of money, however, could ever ease the horrible heart-break for both families suffering from this awful event. Even if the Lane family completely forgave him, Mark would carry that terrible tragedy with him for the rest of his life.

The story could have ended there - if not for grace.

In 1957 Mark Hatfield was elected Oregon's 16th Secretary of State. He would later become the state's 29th Governor - the office from which he would serve in both the legislative and executive branches of Oregon state government. In 1967 Mark began his career as United States Senator becoming the longest serving senator from the state of Oregon - and - in 1968 he was the Republican candidate for Vice President.

Quite the outstanding resume, if you ask me -- and an extraordinary example of grace after grief.

Think of all the things that might not have come to fruition for the state of Oregon [and our country] had Mark disappeared into the shadows of history after his fatal encounter with Alice Marie Lane?

How do you pick yourself up and dust yourself off after something like that?

After any life altering mistake/tragedy?

Well, the truth is YOU don't. GOD does.

Romans 20 verse 5 tells us that where sin abounds - grace abounds all the more. But you and I have to accept that grace. We can't allow sin or grief or anger to take control of us. Sometimes, it is in the wake of real tragedy that God can become strongest in our lives. Because - sometimes it is only in the moments when we find ourselves unable to walk - or even breath on our own - that we discover how truly amazing and unending is the strength and love of our Lord.

When we fully cling to the grace of God - complete healing and real growth can occur.  ... IF we let it!

That might mean we have to forgive someone - even when faced with the death of a loved one. But -then again - that might mean that we need to forgive ourselves and move on.