But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:4-7)

This week, my students and I are studying Titus and Philemon. I chose this verse as their memory verse because it gives an excellent summary of the heart of the gospel. We are saved through God's grace and mercy--not because of anything we have done, but because of His mercy. We are reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit, and become heirs with Christ with the hope of eternal life. We are justified by grace--not by works. And every time with think of our salvation, we can know a little more of the depth of God's love for us.

God is a God of miracles. This time last year, our friend Gerry was in a coma, having been left for dead by a hit-and-run driver. He was in that coma for months, and our church prayed for his recovery knowing that it would take a miracle. What would God do? How would He bring glory out of this tragedy? Gerry is an elder in our church, a counselor, a musician. He and his wife, Laurie, had just adopted two beautiful little girls from Russia, who joined their older daughter in their family. How would God bring about something beautiful?

Over the past year, Gerry has recovered, slowly but surely. He can walk. He can share his story of God's faithfulness. He is back home with his family. And on Good Friday, he played for us like he used to do, as we gathered around and celebrated.

In my own life, God has been working miracles lately. On Saturday, Joel and I will move into a place of our own. At every step, it has seemed impossible and we have faced many obstacles. And yet, at every step, God has provided a way forward. We will continue to trust Him as we seek His will, knowing that He can accomplish whatever He chooses for His glory and our good. We acknowledge that, and rejoice.

Today, my little friend and namesake Katie turns five. Katie has a sparkly personality, and is her very own delightful person. I will never forget the night she was born; the miracle of her birth, followed by the experience of nearly losing her mother, my best friend Sheila. That midnight, as Sheila was whisked into emergency surgery, I sat with her husband Brennen in the quiet nursery. In the stillness I prayed for my dear friend, and marvelled at the tiny, fuzzy-headed little girl in the bassinet. I'll never forget when Brennen turned to me and handed me a card. "She wanted to tell you herself, but under the circmstances, I think she would want you to have this." And in her beautiful card, Sheila told me that they had chosen to name this precious little girl after me.

I think it is kind of the Lord to give us little ones to love. Katie, and her older sister Sarah and brother Ryan, always greet me with such unabashed joy and love. When I lived in Santa Barbara and led worship each week, I could count on their greeting every Sunday: an ecstatic cry of my name from the back of the church after the service was over, and a running hug that came at me with all the love and force an enthusiastic kindergartener can muster. Though I do not get to see them as often now, I still cherish them, and am so grateful that the Lord has placed them in my life.

Time with grandma at the piano goes back as far as I can remember!

If you knew Grandma Harley, you know this is a classic. We are seated at the piano, having just finished a round of Christas songs and "Over the River" and hymns. I can hear her alto in my head, along with arpeggios that seemed to incorporate every key on the keyboard. Somewhere in the back of my mind she plays "The Entertainer" as only she could. When I think of her I smile, and when I think of all she taught me, I am grateful.

I was just reading through a journal of my time teaching at Westmont, and Grandma Harley figures prominently. We would have my students over for end-of-the-year parties which usually ended with singing around the piano and grandma praying that the Lord would bless and keep everyone. I remember the warm glow of that blessing. My Westmonters loved Grandma; they marvelled at her, they loved her wit and humor. And she loved them.

Tuesdays and Thursdays I would join her there in front of those windows, and and we sit in those chairs--she on the left, I on the right, eyes fastened on the mountains outside. She would ask me all about my class and my students, and I would ask her all about her life. She would tell me stories. Then, often, her testimony: "We were the most unworthy family in Philadelphia!" she would proclaim. "Not interested in God, not looking for Him. But He saved us." The German missionaries had dropped by for lemonade and, as they opened the Scriptures to my grandmother's family, they began to nurture a faith that in turn transformed their lives. God is gracious, and my family is an example of that grace.