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Grace

by Tina

Friday morning I felt lost. Don’t worry, it wasn’t a dire kind of lost, more like a “what am I going to do today?” kind of lost. It’s hard when you don’t have a schedule. I’m not good at managing myself. I’m so glad that I have Jesus to help me. I’m a mess. 

I am working on a schedule, but it is really slow going. This brings me to grace. With my cycles of sleeplessness to not being able to keep my eyes open–at times–and my varying energy levels, I not only need grace, I need to show myself some grace as well. Sometimes there’s also depression or anxiety thrown into the mix, and my brain can fail to get into gear. I expect myself to be a superhero despite these challenges, among other things that challenge my efforts. 

I’m so hard on myself. It’s because I’m not where I want to be or who I want to be. It’s way too easy for me to look at others and think, wow they are so amazing, and look at me… I trip over myself at every turn. They’re doing so well. They’ve got a routine or a plan (something solid) and I’m still trying to get through the day. 

I’m still trying to set goals and put them into practice, but changing moods and energy levels definitely slow me down. I don’t like it, but I don’t think this is without purpose. I can be a run ahead of God kind of person. My health and life struggles have forced me to take things a lot slower. 

What is grace anyways? From a spiritual standpoint grace is unmerited mercy. That’s what Jesus offered on the cross. He took our sins upon Himself, so that we could be free in Him. 

I don’t take advantage of that freedom. I’ve worked way too hard as if I have to earn that mercy, not just from Him but from others as well. So I think Jesus slows me down to teach me a thing or two and draw me closer. I have learned so much from Him, but I can forget the simple truth of enjoying Him, His grace and showing myself that same courtesy. Will I ever learn? I don’t know. 

On a good note, I have learned to show grace to others. That’s something, right!? So He’s a pretty good teacher! Yes, I joke with him too. He knows that I think He’s an amazing teacher. ❤ 

“But He gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

James 4:6

“But he — God, giveth more grace — To all those who, while they shun those tempers, sincerely and earnestly pray for it. Wherefore he saith, God, resisteth the proud — The unhumbled; those that think highly of themselves, and put confidence in their own wisdom, power, or holiness, and who seek the praise of men rather than the praise of God; against these God sets himself in battle array, as it is expressed, Proverbs 3 He rejects them, and will not allow them access to, or communion with himself. He thwarts their undertakings, and renders their schemes abortive. But giveth grace unto the humble — Unto those that are humbled under a sense of their ignorance and weakness, their guilt and depravity, and therefore have no confidence in any thing they are or have.

Benson Commentary

I really really like Proverbs 3. Yes, God is against the proud, but look how much grace He shows to the humble. ❤ It’s worth paying attention.

(Photo credit goes to Pixabay.com user codyvanscyoc. )

28 thoughts on “Grace”

  1. Grace is actually my word for 2020. But I feel I have neglected it. At the start of the year, I tried. And I even read a book by Max Lucado with the title of Grace. But I lost sight of Grace as the months went by. So thank you for this reminder to soak up the Grace that Jesus offers, to extend Grace to myself, and to also extend Grace to others. I am a slow learner too. But we are learning and that is what matters! Blessings and love to you!

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    1. It so easy to neglect things isn’t it? It feels like there are so many things and people to keep track of. Grace is so needed. Life is a bit of a juggling act sometimes and I feel as if I am always struggling to get my act together. Yep, I really need that grace and the Lord’s help to keep things straight. Blessings and love back at you my sweet friend. Thanks for blessing me. ❤

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  2. I love this topic…..grace. may the peace and joy of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you Tina, today and forevermore…..His grace is upon you, I pray…..🙏🏼🎀😍✝️🙏🏼🎀

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  3. Well to other people, you do have super powers to make people smile. I guess we all have to travel the roads at our own pace. But I can so understand not being where I want to be, or the person I currently am. Fell like I should be so better as a person. But just got to keep pulling that plough. I will get nudged in the right direction every so often and that’s a blessing.

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  5. Hi Tina, I think we have this concept that others float through life however, I believe most of us live day to day. The beauty is God is with us and gives His grace to all who belive and the Holy Spirit gives us all different gifts to share. Showing grace to others is something the world needs now!

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  6. Funny, I was talking to my pastor’s wife this morning about grace!
    I can relate to your not being able to keep your eyes open. I succumb to that far more often than I like and it means I don’t accomplish what I want to accomplish. Sometimes it amounts to nothing at all, but often simply much less than planned.

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  8. Pingback: Thankful Tuesday’s #12 – Grace – Imago Dei

  10. Ah, I understand this! Example:Saw you posted this three days ago. Intended to read it right then. Life intervened a few moments after. And then intervened again. And, here we are, three days later and I can finally find a moment where energy and time convene! 🙂 I am a person that has always thrived on knowing what to do when. I have strived to continue carving out a schedule of sorts even as my body and my life circumstances say, “Umm…no!” I try to build little tasks into each day and often wind up forgetting that beautiful thing called grace when something comes along to change my ability to complete something. Now, God has stretched me extraordinarily to give it to others, but myself? Not so much. So, thank you for an excellent reminder here, my friend. If there is one thing you do quite well, it’s speak from your heart and point us to the things we need to remember-namely Christ and His incredible love for us. I think He has strategically placed some of us to be those beacons in a dark place. So, be encouraged, my dear. His roles for us are needed. ❤

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    1. Thank you, Marisa. Your words have made me smiie. I’m so glad we’re in this boat together. It’s nice to have people around who understand completely. I know you do. And you are so right. We have been stratgically placed and it’s our job to shine. I’m so thankful He keeps giving us the grace to do so. I could not do it without that grace. Definitely need to start showing myself that grace as well. You HAVE encouraged me so much. Love and blessings to you sweet friend. ❤

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  11. Grace is key!. I recently found myself thanking Him for His grace even as He is teaching me to show grace to myself too. 💯
    Thanks for sharing your experience, ma’am.
    God’s got you. 🤗

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    1. Thank you. Yes, thanking Him is important. He is worthy of our grateful hearts and praise. That’s right! God HAS got me. He’s got the whole world in His hands as the song goes. ❤

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  12. Enjoyed this Tina! I’m thankful the Lord shows us grace. We are blessed to have the chance to show it to others. I’m learning to show myself grace as well. Thanks Tina. ❤️

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