Grace Grace.
Why is easy to give grace to others and not to ourselves?
It’s natural to sit across from a friend and have compassion and empathy. Yet, when we pass a mirror the most natural thing to do is criticize the person reflecting back at us.
I wonder why it’s easy to applaud other’s authenticity and cringe at our own? Other’s over sharing can . . .
open the door to our healing, while we feel if we share our true story it just might kill us.
A friend forgets something important and we don’t think twice about it. She is busy. She has a lot on her mind. We all forget things every now and then. I forget to give my daughter lunch money, for the day, and I am the worst, uncaring, distracted, mother that ever lived. Don’t try to tell me otherwise.
Grace Grace.
The basketball game was lost and little hearts are discouraged. “You played your best.” “The next game will be better, you’ll see.” “Winning isn’t everything.” Your project at work didn’t produce as expected. You didn’t meet your goal. You quit your resolutions before you started. “I’ll never get anything right.” “I’m done trying.” It’s sound so juvenile, but it’s the lie we’ve given voice to since we were little. The lie has grown with us.
Grace Grace.
“I’m thinking of starting — A business. A blog. A book. A better season,” a friend confides over coffee, nervously with a scant of excitement. “You should.” “You’ll regret it if you don’t.” “You’d be great.” “I’ve always known you’d be good at ….,” we cheer them on. We wince in our mind over the dream we’ve been dreaming and wonder if we could have enough courage to move past the wishing. “What if I fail?,” we wonder. “Risk is risky, we remember.” “I’m better at cheering others on then doing my own thing.” The rationalization is a chatty old friend.
Grace Grace.
It’s easier to give then to receive.
Grace is a gift.
An undeserved gift.
Gifts can’t be earned. You can’t work for them. Can’t be good enough for a gift.
Grace is the surprise gift that is given when we least expect it and least deserve it.
It’s the gift that never runs out.
Grace gives second chances.
Grace covers covers a multitude of wrongs.
Grace is unmerited favor.
Grace is for receiving. Over and over again.
Grace is for you.
Grace is for me.
Grace Grace.
It’s extended from God, to us. Perhaps, we don’t need to give ourselves grace, we need only to receive His.
“But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!” 2 Corinthians 12:9
Grace is attracted to our weakness. That makes me, and us all, perfect candidates for the gift of grace.
Today, let’s let go of the old and worn out lies that live in our heads and that we hold in our hands to make room for receiving grace.
Because, Grace is so big that it will pitch a tent and dwell upon us.
Grace Grace.
Let it be our home.