Daily Devotional for November 19, 2020
For the past ten years, Laura has served our church by preparing the elements for the Sacrament of Holy Communion in both traditional worship services. But selfishly, every year Laura takes a weekend off to travel. This means someone else must prepare the elements. A few months ago, it was Larry.
Larry is one of the finest people I have ever met. He is also a fanatic when it comes to attention to detail.
Laura told me that when she was explaining the different procedures for preparing the bread, filling the trays with cups, and arranging them on the altar, Larry was taking copious notes. Then, he said, “I understand there is a lady that wants the leftover bread. Where am I supposed to leave the bread for her after church?”
His question brought back many fond memories of me telling this woman, whom I adore, to put the bread back on the altar and her saying that she was just a “little widow woman” who needed it.
Larry’s question and my fond memories got me thinking.
The elements on the altar are signs and symbols of God’s grace. If that is the case, knowing this woman the way I do, she needs a lot of it. It makes sense, the more bread, the more grace.
After thinking it through, I decided because the bread represents God grace, it is okay for her to have the leftover bread because we are to always err on the side of grace. It’s the only thing that saves us.
This is why the writer of Hebrews said, “Let us then approach God’s throng of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)
So, if you ever look at your life and find your need a little extra grace, don’t take the leftover bread from the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Just ask God for grace. It will be there. I promise.
Prayer: Dear Gracious Heavenly God, even though I fail you on a regular basis, you continue to show your love and grace. Thank you. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
If you see someone take the rest of the bread after the Sacrament of Holy Communion, just remember, while we all need grace, some need it more than others.
Also, just for the record, I have no intention of revealing name of the woman who needs more grace than most of us. But If you ask Adrian, I’ll bet she’ll tell you.
One more thing, if more bread means more grace, then next month, I will have to fight Adrian for the bread because no one needs more grace than me.
I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins
Daily Devotionals by Dr. Tom Robbins 