Grant a Little Grace: Unmerited Favor

If you stopped by because you read my devotion today over at EncouragementCafe, WELCOME!   So glad you are here!

See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Hebrews 12:15 NIV

Frustration and anger brimmed over and I steamed under the pressure. I stormed toward his office hurling insults under my breath, ready for a fight. But she stopped me, pulling me aside.

“Sometimes we just need to grant a little grace,” she said.

Grace ̶ a familiar word ̶ God’s unmerited favor and love, freely given through Christ. I knew grace. God’s grace covered my ugly brokenness and allowed Him to see only beautiful wholeness. But what was this grace she spoke of?

“He doesn’t deserve grace!” I barked. “No one does,” she refuted.

Arms crossed, leaning against the copier between his office and my wise co-worker, my eyes spilled as her words pierced my heart. She stood silent there without condemnation ̶ only compassion ̶ until my demeanor softened and I gained composure.

The silence between us taught me more about grace than any church sermon.

No one deserves God’s grace and yet He sacrificed everything ̶ His only Son and all creation ̶ to offer it to us, through Christ’s death. He put aside His anger and offered Jesus so that we might enjoy the richness of relationship with Him and through that same grace, draw others to Him.

God’s grace duplicates through us. That’s His plan ̶ Christ in us the hope of glory. For those who carry God’s grace are called to bring God’s grace to the world through our words, our touch, and our actions.

What difficult situation, person, or place has God called you to carry His grace?

Father, where would we be without Your Grace? Teach us how to carry Your Grace wherever You lead.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Curing the Thanksgiving Hangover

"We have different gifts, according to the grace given us...if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully." Romans 12:6, 8

If a Thanksgiving hangover exists, I suffered one this weekend. Turkey and all the fixings, either graced our family table or someone else's three times this week and the other four days we filled up with birthday celebrations, yard work, painting and an author event.

Today, I was more than ready for an ordinary, boring Monday where silence reigned down refreshing my body, mind and soul; where I feasted on God's Word instead of more turkey pot pie.


Then, Auntie called asking for help - more shopping and a doctor visit.

My eyes squinted shut and my heart grew tight and small. My mind screamed, "No! Not one more thing! Not one more person needing me or one more place or one more errand. No!" I'm grateful God sealed my mouth until I could hear Him over my grumbling thoughts.

"Grace and mercy," was all He whispered.

Grace and mercy don't come naturally. I struggle receiving and giving these heavenly gifts, especially when I'm physically worn out, just like today.

Heaving a deep breath, I reluctantly agreed to one more person, one more place, and one more errand before the call ended. With barely a few hours to spare, I crawled upstairs and opened my thanks-giving journal. Remember? The one where I'm supposed to be counting all God's gifts? Yes, in all my Thanksgiving busyness I'd neglected to stop and count and mindfully give thanks.  

When we neglect thanks-giving, grumbling replaces joy. Our minds and souls need reminding every moment of every day that joy comes only after we offer our thanks to the Giver of all our good gifts.

So, this morning, I recounted the past few days - looked back and recalled God's precious gifts given even through my busyness.

#49 Rest at night
#50 Precious morning silence
#51 Musicals
#52 Still sharing dreams after 28 years
#53 Strangers turned friends
#54 An extra day off
#55 Winter preparations
#56 Physical exercise
#57 Celebrating one more Thanksgiving with Mom and Dad
#58 Intimate family moments
#59 Mom and Dad's laughter
#60 Mom's grateful heart
#61 Midnight shopping adventure
#62 A soft warm bed
#63 Sleep
#64 New paint on old walls
#65 New generation inspired
#66 Playful puppy cousins
#67 Seeking stranger
#68 Sharing God's hope
#69 God conversations in holiday traffic
#70 Smiling, snuggling grandchildren greeting me at the door

Yes, recounting God's limitless gifts and offering Him thanks transforms this grumbling heart into a cheerful heart; makes room for more grace, more mercy and allows me to offer it freely. One more person? One more place? One more errand? By God's grace and mercy, yes.

Nevertheless

"Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security." Jeremiah 33:6

We've all had those nevertheless moments, haven't we?

She snuck into class ten minutes after the bell rang, nevertheless the teacher ignored it.
He swung the bat and missed the ball, nevertheless the coach saw his potential.
She spewed hurtful words at her husband, nevertheless he forgave her.
He smashed his wife's dreams to pieces, nevertheless she loved him.
They deserved what was coming, nevertheless God showed mercy.

Nevertheless is a great, old fashioned word that musically rolls off the tongue unlike its choppy sisters but, however, nonetheless, or in spite of.  Nevertheless defines those free-of-charge, unexpected outcomes that either define cruelty or mercy.

With God, nevertheless always means mercy.

I've tried leaving Jeremiah's 52 chapters behind since August, but God keeps bringing me back. Today he defined mercy in chapter 33 verse 6 (above).

Like today's world events, war left Israel in ruins. Her idol worship angered God and they reaped the consequences. Nevertheless, God loved Israel and He promised restoration and healing, abundant peace and security.

So, what does that have to do with us? Everything.

We wage war against God everyday, even us "good girls", when we choose holding grudges instead of offering forgiveness, speaking our minds instead of holding our tongues, causing dissension instead of making peace, placing our "to do" list over loving our husband, busyness over abiding with God.

The list goes on and on. I don't intend to make you feel guilty but rather point you towards God's unfailing love and ever flowing mercy:

We choose holding a grudge, nevertheless God freely forgives.
We scream cruel words, nevertheless God whispers loving thoughts.
We cause dissension, nevertheless God makes good come together.
We walk away, nevertheless God never leaves our side.
We deserve death, nevertheless God offers eternal life through Jesus.

No matter what we've done or are in the midst of doing, remember this: 

Nevertheless, God...

 loves us and promises full restoration.

Abba,

In the little and big circumstances of our lives, we confess our waring hearts against you. Daddy, forgive us. Thank-you for your love that never fails, no matter what. How grateful we are that even though we deserve the consequences of our choices nevertheless, You show us mercy. Nevertheless, You love us and restore us. Thank-you.

Unmerited Favor

"See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." Hebrews 12:15

Frustration and anger brimmed over and my entire body steamed under the pressure. I stormed toward his office hurling insults under my breath, ready for a fight. But she stopped me, gently pulling me aside.

 “Sometimes we just need to grant a little grace,” she said.

Grace ̶ a familiar word ̶ God’s unmerited favor and love, freely given through Christ. I knew grace. God’s grace covered my ugly brokenness and allowed Him to see only beautiful wholeness. But what was this grace she spoke of? How did grace apply here?

“He doesn’t deserve grace!” I barked.

“No one does,” she refuted.

Arms crossed, leaning against the copier between his office and my wise co-worker, my eyes spilled as her words pierced my heart. She stood silent there without condemnation ̶ only compassion ̶ until my demeanor softened and I gained composure.

 The silence between us taught me more about grace than any church sermon.

 No one deserves God’s grace and yet he sacrificed everything ̶ his only Son and all creation ̶ to offer it to us, through Christ’s death. He put aside his anger and offered Jesus so that we might enjoy the richness of relationship with him and through that same grace, draw others to him.

 God’s grace duplicates through us. That’s his plan ̶ Christ in us the hope of glory. For those who carry God’s grace are called to bring God’s grace to the world through our words, our touch, and our actions.

 Is there a difficult situation, person, or place where God’s called you to carry his grace?

 Father,
Where would we be without your grace? Teach us, Lord to forgive as you forgive, to love as you love, and to carry your grace wherever you lead.

Thankful Thursday: God in the Mess

"I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint." Jeremiah 31:25

Rain falls hard for days. Cold, dark, dreariness foretells approaching autumn. We take shelter under slated roof, sit beneath warm glows of artificial sun, find warmth in love-sewn quilts and wait.

Sickness falls hard for days. Chills shiver, hot fever, fatigue overwhelms him. Under shelter of our slated roof, beneath warm glows and love-sewn quilts he sleeps. Family, friends and strangers pray and wait.

More hard news comes. Weariness floods and hope tarries. God reassures, "Rest in my faithfulness to provide, my sovreignty to know what's best. Trust me absolutely and wait."

Waiting is hard for impatient me. Thankfulness comes hard when loose ends are left untied and scattered across the floor. I like life neat, tidy, all tied up-not messy and undone.

But, I look around today--it's Thankful Thursday--and I see God: 

• Floods rise all around, sparing our county. Thank you, Lord.
• Sunlight pierces darkness, warming earth. Thank you, Lord.
• Prayers rise, fever cools, strength forthcoming. Thank you, Lord.
• Love-sewn quilts washed, hung to dry in sun-soaked warmth. Thank you, Lord.
• Unexpected bills. God is Jehovah Jirah--my provider. Thank you, Lord.
• Saintly woman passes, meets Jesus face-to-face. Thank you Lord.

How's your week been? Will you share your Thankful Thursday blessings with us? Where did you see God today?

"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9 

Notice Grace-Gifts

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever." Psalm 136:1

I'm a mess. Tears spilling over my cheeks, staining my shirt. God's words, penned by a stranger yet sister in faith, Ann Voskamp, leave me in beautiful ruin. My eyes newly opened to God's extravagant love whispered in ordinary things.

Her God-journey challenges my heart notice Him in the midst of my daily struggle and count my blessings; not for counting's sake but for giving's sake. For if we count our blessings as "things" we tend to hoard and want more. But if we count them as gifts of God's grace, then we are compelled to give thanks and share God's grace-gifts with others.

We enter conversation with God. We step into community with one another. We form relationships that lean to grace, lean on grace, fill with grace. Grace-gifts that are unmerited, but freely given.

With the counting of gifts and the offering of thanks, we fall in love with the God who calls us by name, who fills us with grace and we glow like a blushing bride. His bride. And He, our husband and giver of all good things.

Lord, thank you for your daily, constant grace-gifts. You overwhelm my heart with your love for me until it overflows. Keep me ever conscious of your grace that I may never take you or your love for granted. Teach me to celebrate and give thanks and offer Your grace freely. Amen.

"The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang: “He is good; his love endures forever.” 2 Chronicles 5:13

Sneaky Little Words

"And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all." Acts 4:33b

Saturday, God's peace attends my soul. Countless hours caught up in green life of earth with rain soaked grass, bushy leaves of raspberry limbs, even weeds between the cracks of brick. Sharing space with a slumbering cat, I fill my mind with God's good graces and read. My heart full of His lush earth filling every sense of mine with contented praise. 

Coffee shared with a childhood friend and giggles heard of grandchildren close. Meal shared with son and wife. Life is good. Heart overflows. Daylight gives in to darkness. Sleep comes.

A new day. What could go wrong? My heart alert to all good but ways of old thinking flow in and pour out. Husband's heart destroyed by three sneaky words. "I knew it." Words that spill in one single moment when my guard is down. Too late. No take-backs.

 Lord, forgive. Lord, save. Lord, how?

Grace.

Grace from God to forgive. Wash anew. Start again.

Grace from Husband to forgive. Start again.

All grace.

"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace." Acts 20:24