The one place in my life where I know better, but I haven't been able to do better is _______________.
Think for a moment ... what would you admit to falling short on?
For me, it's grace.
I have high expectations for myself and that tends to trickle over onto the other people in my life and my expectations for them. And seeing as neither I nor my unexpectedly expected upon family members can measure up to the standards I often set, disappointment quickly follows.
This issue of grace has long been an area of groaning in my life. But it's also a virtue that God knows I need and He has been faithfully working on this area of my life ... for longer than I can remember.
When I beat myself up for not being the Mom I want to be (snapping a kids and responding with sarcasm), God reminds me to breathe in His grace.
When I grumble about my kid missing the mark (quite literally ... please don't pee on the floor ...), God reminds me to breathe out His grace.
When I disappoint a friend by forgetting a birthday (and then forget to follow up with the belated card), God reminds me to breathe in His grace.
And when a loved one speaks words that hurt (and their actions echo that hurt even more loudly), God reminds me to breathe out His grace. Again.
Grace in. Grace out. Grace in. Grace out. Grace in ...
Grace out.
As this rhythm of grace renews my heart, it can't help but trickle over into the lives of the people in my life. My kids. My husband. My family and friends.
We all delight in this gift of grace. This gift that God gives to us which is more than we deserve, with no price tag attached. It's ours to accept ... and ours to extend.
"I pray that my children may grow in the grace and
knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
2 Peter 3:18
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Prompt #5
Whew...I needed this post this morning after beating myself about last night and my crabby mood and grumbling at my kids for spilling water...so thank you!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post... I think we all need to be reminded to breathe in and out His grace from time to time.
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful. What precious peace grace brings to our soul just as he designed it to do. I am encouraged by your spirit. Thank-you for sharing your grace rhythms.
ReplyDeleteYour words are always inspiring, encouraging. That you know where you are failing (in your eyes) and are willing to continue to try to exhibit grace is nothing short of heartening, making me hopeful for my own ability to show grace.
ReplyDeleteThis brought tears to my eyes... I need to give others and myself more grace today... thanks for the encouragement! Love you!
ReplyDeleteGrace is a precious gift and my favorite word. I wish I would have named one of my daughters Grace. I also benefit from it every single day.
ReplyDelete