It was a year ago today when our family experienced the tragic death of my nephew Gregory Scott DeLoach, son of my brother David and sister-in-law Stephanie. He was named after my other brother Scott and me and he would have been 24 in a couple of weeks. His passing and our sorrow has left me reflecting on two important words: grace and love.
I am grateful for the grace. Grace is a word that simply means gift. Life itself is a gift and as with any gift our charge is to take care of gifts we have received and realize that no one gift remains unchanged.
Grace ultimately is a holy thing, that is, it is God’s gift. And though we may struggle at our care-taking responsibilities – none of us in here, after all, live perfectly – God does not take back such gifts. That is why I love so much those words from Psalm 139:
Where can I go from your spirit?
Or where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there;
if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning
and settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
10 even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me fast.
What a marvelous thing to ponder – that no matter what, God’s grace is right there. Though the world may judge you with its unwieldy estimations and others condemn you when you do not fit their expectations and you fail in your own expectations, you cannot outrun, outmaneuver or otherwise fail this grace, this gift.
I use to believe that grace was the most important thing. But I am now convinced that grace is not enough. Grace can still imply that you are not going to measure up.
Love, however, is everything. Everything. Love breathed a universe into existence and without love our world will cease to be. My nephew Gregory Scoot was created out of love. He could be an aggravating cuss, of that I have no doubt, but I also have no doubt that he knew he was held together by a fierce love. He had a large heart and he loved deeply too. He loved his dogs and his cousins; he loved the land and the cows that has kept trails worn down for a century; he loved his grandparents even though he did not always understand them and they did not always understand him; and of course he loved his mama and daddy. You saw it in his smile. You saw it when he bounced in with his large body. You saw it when he spoke. You saw it. You knew it. You shared it.
A couple of years ago for Christmas he gave his parents a small table and on the top of it he inscribed the words: Faith, Hope and Love, with the reference from 1 Corinthians 13:13. The verse goes on to remind, “the greatest of these is love.”
It is true. Grace is not enough, especially if it reminds you that you may not deserve something or you cannot earn something, or that this gift could one day go away. Love, however, well, as Paul would say in that same passage, never fails.
Thank you for your love. May we transform this world with it, one life at a time.
Grace, peace, and love,
Very beautiful and meaningful. Go with God.
So beautiful Greg. It will be almost a yr since I lost Frank and yes there was a lot of love in him too. Love is the greatest.! So tragic to lose someone so young.
Love to you and Amy:
Well said, Gregg!
You nailed it Gregg! Because of God’s love we have faith and grace even though we do not merit those gifts.
Praying God’s grace, love, and peace cover all those who knew Gregory. He was one of a kind that’s for sure! His smile lit up my classroom for 180 days not to mention all the times at Philadelphia gatherings. Love you all and thanks for your beautiful words of comfort.
A beautiful remembrance of your nephew. I love the picture. It says a lot about what a kind, loving young man he was.
With tearful eyes I had to read again. What a wonderful message. Grace and Love wonderful
You my pastor friend have an amazing way with words…..in your writings and especially your sermons…..love this blog posts so much.. I will share on my FB page to a young mother who had to bury her 3rd child just a week ago to crib death…he was only 3 months old….so so sad!!!!!
May GOD touch this dear family with his loving arms, and the love of all for them🙏🙏❤️❤️
It has been 7 months since our daughter, Lisa was completely healed – not the healing I prayed for but the one God saw was best. Shock consumed the first few days then grace and love stepped in. God’s love and the love of family and friends continues to walk with us as we try to find our new normal, days without hearing Lisa’s voice or feeling her special hugs.
Beautifully written. I shed tears as I read your post. All of us from Philadelphia UMC love this family and Gregory miss seeing him
I wish we all had love and grace I say love should be taught when children start kindergarten at least
Greg, you softened my heart today. Thank you for sharing your heart with us. I will remember your family in prayer. Love and Miss you!!
So beautiful. Prayers for the whole family. The picture is perfect.
A beautiful tribute to your nephew.I have experienced first hand the beauty of Christ-like love from the previous DeLoach generations.I thank God for the love and leadership of my Great Grandmother, Grandmother and my father.
You always have such insight!!! Thank you for sharing.