Grace And…

2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV “…My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness…”

This isn’t the first time I have done a post on grace and it likely won’t be the last. If you follow my posts, you know that I am very open, and write about where I am – I write directly from my heart. Topic weighing on me – GRACE. God’s Grace.

We know that grace is a “gift undeserved” it is “unmerited favor.” For that, who wouldn’t be grateful? But, just how has God shown His grace to be sufficient for you? For me? Just how has His strength been made perfect in your/my weakness? This is more of a reflection, for me, as I communicate with my children who are struggling. As parents, we do our best to train up our children in the way they should go, so when they get old they will never depart. However, when the schools are teaching contrary to what the Bible says and their peers ridicule them for their beliefs, and they are at the point of questioning, losing hope… At the moment, all I can think is to remind them of God’s grace.

Romans‬ ‭5:8‬ ‭KJV‬‬ “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

For me, the greatest act of grace and love Christ could have ever done is going to the cross and shedding His innocent blood for me. Each time I think of the cross, I am moved to tears. How could someone – God, no less, love me – have that much compassion, mercy, grace, for me, that He would die in my place? It’s humbling. For all of the times I have felt unworthy, not good enough – I am immediately repentant. Christ saw me as worthy when He went to Calvary, bled and died for my sins. I was good enough. That’s grace!‭‭‬‬

Romans‬ ‭5:20‬ ‭KJV “But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:”

As I reflect on my life, I remember the moments when I was far from Him, or so I thought, never realizing that Jesus was never far from me. There was eleventh grade, Theory of Knowledge (TOK), I loved that class. I couldn’t wait for that class. As much as I didn’t want to follow in my sisters footsteps of being in the International Baccalaureate Program, hearing them talk about TOK – well, it was the one class that made being in the program worthwhile. It’s also the class that made me question everything I believed. It took me years to fully understand, and return, to what I believed all along. I nearly walked away. But His grace kept me!

For the time I thought I was forsaken, not realizing it was I who turned my back on God, I can see the where His hand of grace kept me. He protected me, kept me out of harms way. Because of His grace, I am here today. Looking back, I was so lost. I didn’t know up from down, left from right. But, God’s grace preserved my mind as well as my life.

Hebrews‬ ‭4:16‬ ‭KJV‬‬ “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

‭‭Have you ever needed assistance of some sort, and wasn’t sure from where it was going to come; but then, maybe in the midnight hour, you received the help you needed? My story of grace is similar… I stand in amazement… The Lord is better than good to me! His grace is beyond sufficient! I will just say this: From where we came, to where we are, I stand in awe of His grace! Christ truly is a way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper, light in the darkness, provider, comforter, healer – the list can go on and on! His promises are true. His blessings are overwhelming.

Isaiah 40:31 KJV ‭‭“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

‭‭As parents, we never give up on our children. We hurt when they hurt, cry when they cry. Each of my three kids, in the span of this short school year, already have had their faith on trial. From the eldest to the youngest. We train them up and trust God. I had to learn to leave them in God’s hands.

One night in prayer, weeping over my son. After asking the questions, Are you listening? Do you know that I am just concerned? Is anything I’m saying getting through? Only to be met with a blank stare and silence. Okay, I will just pray about it, I conceded to myself. But what came to me was to leave my children in God’s hands. They aren’t even mine to have, but His. Additionally, they have their own relationships with God, they speak to Him in their own way. I let that sink in… Then returned to my son and apologized. You have your own relationship with God, right? Yes. (He nodded for emphasis. Such a little man!) You speak with God in your own way, don’t you? (I saw the pride die down a little – maybe it’s because of the unintentional tears in my eyes.) I do, his voice was shaky too. We spoke about the situation. We prayed together. God has the glory.

Proverbs‬ ‭22:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬ “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

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