Tim Winton is one of our greatest contemporary writers.  Born in Perth, Tim is famous for his unique writing style and his ability to capture audiences on their own level.  His writing often contains messages or themes which act as an “eye-opener” to his readers.

Tim draws his prime inspiration from local communities and, as a child living in Albany, he reflects on his father who was a traffic cop.  One evening Winton Senior was knocked off his motorbike by a delinquent driver.  He suffered critical injuries.  After many months in hospital Tim’s father finally came home an invalid, a broken man, a mere shadow of his once buoyant self.  Here Tim speaks of “the wordless heaviness” and “the fog of dread” that descended on the home.

Then, one day, a stranger appeared at the door.  Soon he was doing the heavy work, lifting Tim’s father to the bathroom, feeding him and keeping him company.  Day after day the man came, a strangely sacrificial gift that brought about an unlikely “turning” in the Winton household.  One evening the young Tim peered through a gap in the doorway as this stranger anointed his father, laid hands on him and prayed for healing.

Following these “acts of grace” Tim’s parents became devout, lifelong Christians.  The local Church of Christ, the community to whom this stranger belonged, became the focal point.  A “new energy and purpose” graced Tim’s parents as the family found themselves embedded in what would become a formative church community.

Profound “acts of grace” were experienced here as a stranger knocked on the Winton’s door.  While “stranger danger” is quite rightly instilled into us, Tim’s story reminds us to open our lives to the presence of others and particularly to those who we may simply overlook, dismiss or right-off.

For you see, God reaches out to us in unexpected ways.  God gifts us with God’s grace in the most unforeseen, surprising ways.

Today we are particularly reminded of this as Jesus’ disciples encounter a stranger on their journey to Emmaus.  And what an amazing thing this turns out to be!

Friends, be ready and be constantly aware.  For God reaches out and touches us with “acts of grace”.  God does so in the most unexpected, surprising ways, even in the people who may be knocking on your door today!