One of the sweetest blessings of summer is answering the doorbell and finding a neighbor at your door begging you to accept produce from his or her over-abundant garden, or even sharing from another friend’s garden. The tomatoes are still warm from the sun and so are the cucumbers and summer squash. Even at the farmer’s market you don’t find produce this fresh, and you know you will taste the difference. It is grace upon grace on your dinner table.

In spite of the many pressures and the tumult raging in the local and world news, God succeeds in conveying blessings on is people that are undeniably sweet : “You show me the path of life; in thy presence there is fullness of joy, in thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalm 16:11)

I believe that fresh cucumbers at the front door are nothing less than a preview of the “pleasures forevermore” that the psalmist wrote about. They are a concrete example of unmerited grace and favor: “But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” (Ephesians 4:7), a preview of the fullness of grace that awaits every believer.:” Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.”(John 1:16)

In spite of the growing opposition to his message, Jesus speaks of God’s gracious favor to his people: “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32); and when he says to Peter, “Feed my sheep” (John 21:17) he commissions Peter to extend the grace Peter has received to those around him and to all those who will receive Peter’s ministry.

In the Christian churches everywhere the grace of the Eucharist or Communion is still conveyed today. It is as if God cannot help extending grace to each, as His very nature is made of gracious love.

St. Paul wrote, “Where sin increased, grace increased all the more.” (Romans 5:20). It is the pattern of our God, the underlying truth that we so often miss. The increase of grace is an article of faith. We have many clues and much evidence, and some of the most delicious is summer vegetables brought to our door by a friend.

Love in Him,

Prue