Grace Extravagant

Soon after Hospice arrived Mom asked if my husband Wolter was home, then she informed me she had something very important to say to him. Later that evening as we watched an insipid news report, she asked us to turn the television off because she needed to speak with Wolter. He looked my way, but all I could offer was a shrug. The room grew quiet as we waited for her to speak.

Her voice cracked with emotion as she began, “I’ve been A/G all my life.” I wasn’t too sure where we were headed, but she was the one who had convened the meeting. For the unknowing, A/G stands for Assemblies of God; it is the church my Mother was saved in at the age of fifteen - it was the church she grew up in. She became a lay minister in the church and later a missionary. Historically it was a very conservative organization that was deeply rooted in Pentecostalism and holiness.

She continued, fighting back the emotion. “When you asked to marry our daughter, we were hesitant. We told you we did not believe in divorce, and you responded, 'I don’t either.'” – You see Wolter is a divorcee. The big “D” word is etched across the history of his life. My own history was not the most pure and pristine, but somehow I had avoided marriage, divorce and possibly even jail - (smile)

At this point Mom could not fight back her emotions, with tears she continued. “I’m so sorry we ever questioned the power of God’s grace in your life. You have been the best son-in-law, and husband to our daughter. I’m so sorry we questioned you regarding your past divorces. God's transforming power is so much bigger than that. I’m still A/G and I’m loyal to our church organization. The denomination has taken a strong stand against divorce, but I thank God each day that you are my son-in-law. Thank you for uprooting your life to come to Tennessee with Tammy to help take care of us. Not many men would do something like that.”

Mom grabbed some tissues, and Wolter thanked her for her words and told her he still didn’t believe in divorce. He hates how it rips apart families for generations and generations. He understands the verse in Malachi different than most, when God says, “I hate divorce” it is with grief in his voice not finger-pointing judgment.

I hope when I’m as old as Mom and I reach my journey’s end that I will still be learning the lessons of God’s extravagant grace. We all sat there in a silent room awed by a God who patches together the messes of our lives and weaves a beautiful tapestry.