Golden Moments of Grace

Sometimes, an ordinary moment can transform into something extraordinary instantly! This happened to me a few summers ago when I was returning to Rose Cottage after a pontoon ride. The pinks and blues of an ordinary sunset suddenly made room for a soft, yellow light.

Within minutes, the surrounding sky was dripping with bright honey! I felt God's presence—the presence of deep and eternal love. Since then, I have referred to these moments as golden moments—those exceptional moments when I experience God’s grace, receiving free and undeserved help from God to see, understand, or experience something.

The work of grace has drawn my heart toward Him from the beginning.

As I floated on the pontoon that evening, the brilliant amber sky mirrored in the water below, and the deep orange clouds transformed into vast strokes of a paintbrush upon the water - I found myself adrift in a sea of gold. It was undeniable; God was drawing my heart closer to His presence. But for what reason?

Photo by Michael Krahn

God was calling me near for the same reason He calls all hearts near to Him: unblemished, unconditional, complete love.

Moments of grace are often very ordinary, and it is not until later that we can process something extraordinary took place:

“Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road?” (Luke 24:32).

Moment by moment, God is making a great effort to help us experience the presence of His love. As an architect laboring over a plan, a teacher creating a stellar lesson, a coach guiding someone to greatness, a sailor reading the stars, an artist filling a blank canvas with colors of truth, or a writer obsessing over word placement to communicate a thought - God never rests.

Photo by Ignacio Campo

God will go to great lengths to help us see and hear Him.

These golden moments of grace are experienced before we take our first breath and beyond our last. They are experienced when we feel discouraged and encouraged to get back up. They are found within the simple words “I do,” “I’m sorry,” and “fiat.” They can be found in dead ends that open to new roads and confusion that gives way to clarity. They are found within the falling of the first snow, the surprise of an autumn crocus opening, or a family cottage clothed in good memories.

And sometimes, God will grace us with the loving warmth of His presence through the unexpected gift of amber skies of gold.

Prayer: Grant me the grace to recognize the golden moments of your love and mercy today and help me offer a few golden moments of grace to others, as well.