Friday, February 26
GRACE ("megumi" - grace in Japanese)
When I received the
confirmation to teach at a teacher-training college in Japan I began an
in-depth-study of the religions of that country as well as the role of the
Church among the Japanese people. Most
pledge themselves to Shinto, the way of the gods, and to Buddhism.
My first experience with the community church
was on a Sunday morning about four weeks after arriving at the college. I was apprehensive and my heart was vibrating
more rapidly. How would I be received as
I knew few words in Japanese? Would my
bow be appropriate? Would they overlook my foreign face? I arrived at the small church building and
stepped into the entrance to see shoes everywhere. I was then greeted by a gracious lady with a
very deep bow. I saw in her eyes the
reflection of her thoughts: "How do I greet her as she has the face of a
stranger (foreigner)? "Why is she
here?" Her Japanese was quick but I
felt acceptance as I bowed and used the greetings I had learned. Soon the service began and I felt totally and
utterly alone. As the service progressed
two senior ladies moved to sit with me and to share the hymnal which I could
not read. The message dealt with "grace" Suddenly, I felt grace
flowing between us and binding me to them.
I was alone but not really as I had found a Sunday home filled with
God's grace. I was experiencing the
binding force of salvation's eternal grace.
As long as I attended there they loved me with that "Amazing
Grace." Through them I learned I needed a Bible and a hymnal for the
services. They taught me about their
traditions, their customs, and forgave my horrible mistakes in Japanese. They even asked me to pray and to speak
during some of their services.
Some Sunday mornings when I enter the doors of
Trinity I have an overwhelming desire to leave my shoes at the door, place my
feet in slippers, enter the sanctuary with my Bible and hymnal and hear
"megumi" once again. Grace was
shared with me in a Japanese country church and now it is shared with me at
Trinity. It is the binding link among
God's people around the word.
By
Grace we are saved!
By Grace we are accepted!
By Grace we are loved!
Julia Williams
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