Grace Makes All the Difference
 

If life is… “because I have to”—where’s the joy in that? Too often I hear folks rejecting Christ because they think the Christian life is all about rules and regulations—all about stifling and suffocating ritual.

This happens when we confuse Christ with legalism. Legalism is joyless because it’s endless. There’s always another class to attend. Inmates incarcerated in self-salvation find work, but never joy!

Grace! It makes all the difference. I like this quote: “Gone are the exertions of law-keeping, gone the disciplines of legalism, the anxiety that having done everything we might not have done enough. We reach the goal, not by the stairs, but by the lift—God pledges his promised righteousness to those who will stop trying to save themselves!”

Grace offers rest. Legalism? Never!

From GRACE by Max Lucado

God's never ceasing GRACE...I have found that trying to "run" my life is much harder that living in God's Grace.  And it's SO exhausting! 

In order for me to follow His lead in this adventure, He is constantly giving me opportunities to USE what He is teaching me.  Asking God to teach me His Grace may be like praying for patience...only I DO know not to do that one!  Been there, Done that!

Learning how to have Grace with others is seeing them in a different light...God's light.  I listen more intently on the content of WHAT they are saying and listen HOW they are saying it.

Late last week I was trying to set up an appointment with someone to talk with them about helping out in a group at church, we just could not get a time that worked for both of us.  They had apologized for taking so long in getting back with me (which was 2 days...lol) and letting me know that the time set was not going work to either.  I told them it was ok and we would find another time.  They thanked me for the GRACE I showed them... That really hit me... It spread over me like a blanket.  So, this is what I am to show other people... This is the meaning of Grace.  God shows me this kind of Grace EVERY MINUTE of EVERY DAY.  Well, I thought that was easy...HA!!  So when the next time to listen to someone, of course my "self" wanted to "add to the conversation", but I asked myself how would God "handle" the situation if it were Him?  So, I LISTENED to all the person had to say and didn't say a word until they were done. I was praying about what HE would want me so say and when I did speak, it was with words of afirmation and building up that person. I guess the key for me is to BE QUIET and LISTEN more...

Now...if I can learn to do that ALL THE TIME!  **struggle**

Joy is what God wants for all of us. In learning to walk with Grace, Joy is given, freely and abundantly!

Grace....

God gives a small measure of Grace to unbelievers as a gift, so they may be able to believe in Jesus...

God gives Grace to believers to be "set free from sin".

So.. God's gift of Grace is just that...a gift...

As I was talking to one of the church Elders today, and he asked what my relationship was with God and how I came to "believe".

As I thought about it, I knew I was "saved" at the age of 12, because I desired to live with God and his ways. But, as I talked with him, I realized God's Grace started long before that age.  I began to tell him about my being adopted and how Grace was evident even then.  How I went from 1 family to another and the struggles I had, even at the age of 3.  Then how Grace was involved while I joined the Lutheran church, through my Grandmother being involved in the church and the presence of my Great Aunt and Godmother, encouraging me to attend weekly services until I joined the church.  I was married in the Lutheran church.  However, my Grandmother loved Martin Luther and what he had done for the Lutheran church.  God blessed her with the gift of painting.  She painted a picture of him for the church and it hangs there, even now...40 years later...

After my getting married and having 2 children, I felt I really needed God back in my life and I needed more than just going to church.  I started to attend a non-denominational church that the preacher preached right out of the bible.  I found I loved hearing him talk about God and I really liked hearing the Gospel.  But..the thing that REALLY drew me was the music.  The church had a praise and worship band that I felt "sang to my soul".  Music has always spoken to my heart.  It seems God has a way of infiltrating my heart and desiring to be closer to Him through music.

As I talked with the Elder I started to realize the amount and influence Grace has had on my life.  When Madi passed I wanted to crawl in a hole and never come out, however, I couldn't do that.  I think God gave me shock as the Grace I needed.  Being in shock for a time, I didn't really think or feel much.  I just acted and reacted to the moment.  What ever was happening at the moment. God protected me with His Grace.

After Madi's trial, I didn't want to do anything.  Shock and depression... Even though I had 2 businesses, a mother and mother-in-law  to be taken care of and my daughter whom I didn't want anything to happen to.  I was not in a position to keep going, however, I walked and talked whatever was needed.  Fear gripped my soul.  Loss was so big I couldn't get my heart around it.  I never lost Faith, though...If I hadn't had as much Faith in God as I had, I would not have made it through.  I'm not saying everything I did was the right thing, but I kept on pushing and eventually knew I couldn't do anymore.  I didn't WANT to do anymore.  I was hurting so much...I had to go on with life, the alternative is NOT a choice, and I couldn't lose my daughter, as my Granddaughter was gone.   I had to have help and God was the only one to help me...

No one understood my feelings and I couldn't talk with anyone but God.  He listened and I talked and talked.  He never got tire of listening... Not always getting an answer the way I wanted, but He answered in His way and I listened.

I continued talking with the Elder today, telling him how I got to where I live and why.  He looked at me and said I had certainly been through a lot and I definitely knew what God's Grace is all about. I don't know about that because I still have a lot to learn about God and his teachings.  I feel very blessed to be where I am today and I am learning to live with God's Grace.  I know He is my provider, my healer, He is my everything I depend on.  I have put All my Faith and belief in Him.

God says His Grace is sufficient unto me.....

More later...

What a joyous time of year.... God's grace is always abundant!  He shows me this every day in some way or another. 

This has been a very different kind of holiday season for me.  I was worried because I have always spent Christmas with my family... My kids and my Ex.  Seems funny, but I've spent my Christmas' with my Ex for so many years it just seems natural. 

The time I was at my son's house the week prior to Christmas still had me uneasy about the "real" Christmas time.  I thoroughly enjoyed the time with them and the grandkids.  I forgot how busy they are at 1 and 3.  Just being with them is a joy, no matter what we do...I just enjoy the fact that they belong to and are a part of me. 

It seems to me that so many of the things that go on are not a bother to me as they once were.  The kids being loud and busy are not a problem, as I would rather hear them enjoying themselves that to not hear anything at all coming from them.  It's a joyous time!  That's the way the holidays are supposed to be.  After all, it's about 1 main baby who was born that day... It's about the children...

Anyway, getting back to "the day"... I went to the Church for Christmas Eve service.  WHAT a BLESSING!!  The music was over the top, good! I even took a video of it.  During the service, I was so fortunate to be the recipiant of God's grace, again.... The love and support I felt was so overwhelming it brought me to tears.... God's love and grace overtook me....again.  It never ceases to amaze me when that happens.  He knows what I need and places it before at JUST the right time!!

I have had a peace about Christmas this year that I've never had before.  I know the REASON for the SEASON, but it was never more clear that this year.  Yes...the holiday is about family, but the real reason is Jesus... and what he brought to earth in his human form.  The love for everyone is really overwhelming.  What he gave to us is beyond my thoughts.  I am so grateful for His gift to me and others who will receive it! 

More to come...