Almost anything in life can be a teachable moment. The other day, I was working in the church’s kitchen, listening to music, thinking about the mercy of God and how all things are redeemable with grace and repentance, and I came across a pile of plastic tablecloths. Most were clean, but some had been put away dirty. Maybe they’re not worth saving… Then I thought: Where on earth would we all be — if God had that attitude? When I fall far from God’s grace, what if He just chose to ‘throw me away’ instead of allowing me to ‘clean myself up’ and live again in His grace? So, I washed the dirt and dried food from the tablecloths and folded them for use another time…

Next project: Box labeling. I made numerous stick-on labels for the storage boxes. But after I had put the labels on the boxes, I noticed that at least one had fallen off. I picked it up and pressed it back in place. Then it came to me: God is always teaching us things. Is there anything He’s telling me that just hasn’t stuck yet? Have I let anything important simply slip away?

I pressed hard on the labels that came loose…very hard. But I still plan to put a small piece of packing tape on them. It’s important that labels stick…on boxes, that is. And it’s more important that God and His grace and mercy stick to us like glue! There is no other way to live this life…

About the author: Rev. Elizabeth L. Nelson is the priest at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in LaBelle.