Did you grow up with a “Kool-Aid mom” on your block? Was your mom the “Kool-Aid mom?!” Are you wondering what in the world is a “Kool-Aid mom?”

The Kool-Aid mom was the one who lived in the house where all the kids wanted to be. It was the house where all the bikes of the neighbor kids were strewn all over the yard with no kids in sight. But if you were taking a walk and happened to pass by that house, you’d hear laughter and happy screaming coming from the backyard.

If you peeked over the fence, maybe you’d find a water balloon fight. Or kids squirting each other with the water hose. There might be a miniature baseball field set up with a game literally in full swing. Anyone remember tetherball? Most likely, there were a couple of dogs making the rounds, looking for a belly rub or at least a pat on the head.

And of course – there was Kool-Aid. The Kool-Aid mom knew there would be lots of kids around so she stretched her dollar with affordable snacks and drinks. She skipped over the personal size watermelons and bought the biggest one she could find. Popsicles were a good bargain, and so were the king size bags of store brand chips. Whatever was on sale and came in large quantities could potentially be found in Kool-Aid mom’s shopping cart when she finally made it to the checkout line.

’Cause, gosh, you guys, those kids ate like horses!

They stayed at the house till almost dark, and then the Kool-Aid mom would send them home with a big, tired smile, a hug, and some kind words. One by one, the bikes would disappear from the lawn. The front door would be locked. The porch light would be switched on. And quiet would fall over the house.

The kids inside – the ones who actually belonged to the Kool-Aid mom – would head to the tub for their evening baths. They might get a little treat before settling into bed to read a couple of books and to say prayers with their parents. The Kool-Aid mom would tell those kids she loved them before turning out their bedroom lights and pulling closed their bedroom doors.

As happy as she had been to host the neighbor kids – to let them have fun in her backyard all day, to give them their fill of snacks and Kool-Aid, to listen to their stories and laughter, to give them a safe place to play and hang out – those weren’t her kids.

If you asked her, she would even tell you that she loved them. But at the end of the day, the kids went to their own homes. The Kool-Aid mom could only offer so much security and fun and love to those kids. She had no authority over them. As much as she cared about them, she had her own children at home that she was responsible for and had been charged with shepherding and providing for. They were her priority.

The Kool-Aid mom unwittingly exhibited common grace.

Common grace is God’s goodness made apparent and available to all of humanity – regardless of their allegiance to Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. All people may enjoy lovely sunsets, the taste of a delicious meal, the joy of a good friendship, a close-knit family or the warmth of sunshine on their skin. But common grace has a purpose.

An article by Ligonier Ministries entitled “Common Grace” says, “God confers common grace on mankind to encourage sinners to repent and trust in Christ.” The truly beautiful gifts in this life come from Someone – a holy God. To refuse to recognize and acknowledge His goodness is a costly decision.

God loves all people, but He won’t enter where He’s not welcome. He gladly pours out His blessings – His common grace – on all, but only those who belong to Him experience the full, perfect expression of their Father’s love. Only they will be unscathed when His common grace one day comes to an end and judgment for the unbelieving falls on those who’ve rejected His offer of salvation through His Son Jesus Christ.

This Father’s heart always has room to joyfully welcome one more! Let His kindness lead you to repentance (Romans 2:4) – a complete 180 from death to life. Come to the Father’s house, and experience not only common grace, but most importantly saving grace.