There’s a poem I’ve read over every morning for the past week or so — mostly because I’m still not sure I’ve unpacked it. I probably never will. It’s called “No accident” by Norman MacCaig. Here are some bits from to give you the gist:
Walking downhill from Suilven (a fine day, for once)
I twisted a knee…
I didn’t mind so much. Suilven’s a place
… [where] a heaven’s revealed, in glimpses.
Grace is a crippling thing. You’ve to pay for grace.
The heaven’s an odd one…
…hiding
Forevers and everywhere in every thing — including
A two-mile walk, even, and a crippled knee.
You reach it by revelation. Good works can’t place
Heaven…
…in the hard truth that, if only by being
First in a lower state, you’ve to pay for grace.
“You’ve to pay for grace.” I think those words bothered me, because Christianity teaches that grace is free.
But Sunday’s sermon was from 2 Corinthians 12 where Paul talks about his “thorn in the flesh.” I’m sure it wasn’t a twisted knee. I know the scholars propose an eye affliction. But I don’t think Paul is saying anything much different from Norman MacCaig, though, when he says that God’s grace is sufficient and that power is made perfect in weakness. (1 Cor 12:9)
My take-away from the sermon was this quote from Fr. Nathan — “Our weaknesses, our scars, our really big wounds — these are the places where God can work in our lives.”
I needed to hear that reminder. The challenges in our life are how we pay for grace — or God pays for it. It’s where He works.
Hot Dogs and Marmalade 
Interesting poem and fascinating recap, Sally! I’ve always felt that our challenges draw us nearer to God. When life it humming along merrily, it’s easier to shift Him to the side and continue on. But when a thorn, eye affliction, twisted knee, or the like trip us up, we turn back to Him in prayer. Maybe it slows us down, like the tale of the awful morning where everything is going wrong, making you late leaving for work. But by running late, you avoided a horrendous accident?
Grace is a often difficult and wonderful teacher. All the hardships of life bring beautiful new growth. “Amazing Grace”
I like the quote from your sermon.