Attentive Grace comes to mind when I think of the overall theme of the movie, “The Blind Side.” Seeing the potential in someone is something that many are capable of doing. Yet there are many who are afraid to practice this kind of love for fear of what could happen.  ”Big Mike” and Lee Anne Tuohy actually intersect in the movie when the Tuohy family as they’re driving home from a  school function, sees Michael Oher walking in the rain, wearing only a shirt and shorts.  Lee Anne steps out of the ordinary in her life of success and blessings and asks Michael about his situation and whether or not he had a place to stay. She does the unthinkable and the Oher family brings Michael home and he sleeps on their couch and would eventually become part of the Tuohy family as the movie unfolds.

The movie reminded me of a dear friend in my life that both my wife and I love very much. Clark resembled for me what it means to be attentive to the grace of God in the world. Clark and his wife when I was around 18 years old offered to house me in their home. The reason Clark wanted to do this was that I needed a place to live and I needed to find some structure and stability in my life. Clark wanted me to consider furthering my education by attending the local community college which was a 10-15 minute walk from his home. He and his wife went out of their way to make it possible for me to attend, they fed me, and saw to it that I got to church when I needed to get to church. Clark was aware of my home life growing up and although couldn’t really relate to the situation I had come from, understood his designated role in my life as a follower of Jesus. Clark and his wife Margie were what the larger church should be when it comes to loving the people of God where the church resides in its context and where it is placed by God in the world.

Leigh Anne Tuohy saw the injustice of a young man who needed more than just a break. She saw a child of the king who needed grace and at one point in the movie recognizes what Michael was doing for her and how he was a blessing to her. How do we bring both worlds together that are found in the movie and that by all means exist in our churches? Being attentive to God’s grace means learning how to watch and listen. Listen for where the needs exist. Be aware of the injustices that with God’s help can be corrected and most of all being responsive to those moments in your life where you are called upon to be a blessing to someone else even if there are risks?

More thoughts to come.