Article July 28, 1997 Issue

Do you know what grace means?

Lois Rae Carlson

The boys in my family spent last summer working construction at a local house being built by Habitat for Humanity. It was very exciting for them to see a house go up from the groundbreaking. Because the work included hauling bricks and shoveling dirt for back-fill, I encouraged them always to wear gloves to protect their hands.

One day after I'd picked up the younger one from the job site, he was very quiet and in pain. I asked him if I could help, but all he said was, "Mom, I didn't wear gloves." I looked at his hands; his palms were covered with open blisters.

We have always prayed together when we're sick or have physical problems, so I asked my son if I could pray for him. "But, Mom, I didn't wear gloves," he said again. I could tell he felt very guilty about not following my advice. I felt bad that I had made such a big deal about the gloves. But even if we don't always do what seems the sensible thing, God still helps us in a way that will not only heal us but enable us to make better decisions next time.

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