grace

Caution: Extra Grace Required

Posted on November 26, 2012 by Sharita

CAUTION: Extra Grace Required

Well all have them in our lives.

You know them well.

In fact, all of us probably ARE these kinds of people from time to time.

That’s right. Those folks in your life who try your patience. That require prayer to deal with. Sometimes the mere sight of them makes your heart race.

They are EGR’s: Extra Grace Required.

Now, I don’t say this to be mean or judgey. Heck, I KNOW for a fact that I personally am an EGR from time to time. (Just ask my husband.) I get snarky. I become hard to manage. Some switch gets flipped and I go from low-key minister to high-maintence heifer. True story.

Been there. Done that. Deal with it daily.

This challenge of EGR’s in my life has really been on my heart (and in my face) lately. It has challenged my patience. Been a constant reminder that we must deal with all people with GRACE. And not just, some grace- lots of it. Often, EXTRA grace is required.

You know the kinds of people that I am talking about. (In addition to our occasional selves.) Those folks who can’t seem to find the good in anything. The ones who repeatedly flake on commitments with no advance warning. Or people who struggle with drawing the line between wanting to talk-talk-talk in circles when the other party perhaps has a meeting to get to. Like, now.

When we are faced with EGRs, our flesh naturally wants to word vomit something blunt or brash. (Or just physically push them out the way. Admit it– we’ve all felt it.) But the moment that thought flashes across our mind, we feel a surge of conviction from the Holy Spirit. “Um, Sharita, that behavior is not nice. Even more so, it’s not Christ-like.”

Sigh. Stupid flesh.

Don’t get me wrong– as Christians, we sure aren’t expected to be pushovers and let folks walk all over us. However, we are to deal with people with GRACE. Just as Christ did.

He was firm with people, especially when they were getting Him off track or inadvertently distracting Him from doing the Father’s Will. However, He was never mean. Never rude. Never sarcastic.

He always spoke the truth– IN LOVE. He kept on track with God-Focus. And He dealt with those EGR’s with GRACE. Lots and lots of grace.

When it comes to dealing with EGRs in real life (ministry or otherwise) I have come up with another acronym to keep us focused on the matter at hand.

Instead of snapping or pretending to be uninterested, apply your own method of EGR in these Extra Grace Required situations.

E~ Explore the opportunity. Specifically for ministry opportunities in the moment. Sometimes those EGR’s could be ministry experiences brought to us by God in disguise. Or simply approach the opportunity with a heart for personal growth, knowing that challenges are what ultimately refine us to become more like Christ.

G~Get moving. (I don’t mean run away. That’s not nice.) But get your heart moving closer to the Holy Spirit with a silent prayer, asking for wisdom and discernment (and grace!) for the moment.

R~ Remember the abundant grace that God gives us every time we try His patience (which, if we are perfectly honest with ourselves, is probably once every 14 seconds.) Then, take the Father’s grace and extend it to the person/situation you are dealing with… THEN react.

What kind of EGR’s challenge you the most? How do you deal in the moment? Gimme a shout out by leaving a comment below!

God is always patient with us– He is firm and just but eternally loving. He has given us abundant grace to love those around us… So no matter how challenging the person or situation, remember that we already have all the extra grace that is required for the moment… We just have to apply it!

Thankful for His Grace,
SGK

“As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.” ~2 Corinthians 6:1 (NIV) 

Categories: grace | Tags: , , , , , , | 10 Comments

The Rule of 4.0

Posted on May 24, 2012 by Sharita

“Moooommmm… I… didn’t…do…good…on… (sob)…my (gasp)… Chemistry… (sniff)…tessssttttttt. I…won’t…get…an.. A!” 

That is a real (ok, paraphrased) excerpt from a conversation that I frequently had with my Mom on the phone my freshmen year of college at K-State.

Chemistry was a nightmare. And when I bombed that first test, I was convinced my life was over. Seriously. Up until that point, I had only gotten a “B” on a report card ONCE in my life, and that was my freshmen year of high school in Algebra. (What IS it with freshmen year? And boo on math.)

I despised chemistry. (And still do, just for the record.) I didn’t understand it. I didn’t get it. And I didn’t get an A that semester. What a way to start out my college career, huh?

My friends and I had a theory in college. We called it the “Rule of 4.0.” The idea was that there were many things in life that once you fell short, it was hard to care about trying to work hard at it again.

Chemistry class was my example. After I got that first “B” in college, I knew there was no hope of pulling a 4.0. My record was marred. So I had a choice to make… would I keep trying to do well in college? Or since I had fallen short of my dreams of “perfect” grades, should I just sorta half-way try and count it all as lost?

Fortunately, my motivation kicked in and I kept trying. No, I didn’t get my 4.0 due to falling short early on (Thanks, Chem I and II…) But I did manage to graduate with honors five years later. (I took a victory lap for my undergrad, just because I could.)

Now you might be wondering: “Uh, Sharita, I am kind of done with school. What in the name of sodium chloride does this have to do with me?”

Great question. I’m glad you asked. The “Rule of 4.0″ doesn’t just apply to literal grade point averages. It also applies to different areas of our lives. For example…

The Rule of 4.0 kicks in during a long-distance run after you made the mental decision to walk for a few steps… You failed right? Whats the point of trying to redeem your run? Might as well walk the rest of the way, yes?

The Rule of 4.0 applies when it comes to purity… maybe a girl (or guy) decided to engage in pre-marital sex with a significant other, but then they broke up. She/he isn’t “pure” anymore. So what’s the point of abstaining from that point forward until marriage?

The Rule of 4.0 shows up when we get reprimanded at work– we weren’t the perfect employee, so why strive to regain a solid work ethic, right?

The Rule of 4.0 comes to life in our everyday lives when we sin. We messed up… so why try to make it right and live a Christ-like life? We failed.

Obviously, this way of thinking can be a dangerous and little off the mark. The Rule of 4.0 is meant to be an encouragement to think twice about making a decision that might damage your heart, your GPA, relationships or work life. HOWEVER… like it or not, we are ALL going to fall short.

None of us are going to graduate from this life to the next with a 4.0 without the help of Christ.

Will you allow Christ to help you “graduate” from this life to the next with a 4.0?

We might get a B or C in life… or we might even flunk on occasion. God grades on a curve. And that curve is in form of The Cross.

We have the beautiful and blessed opportunity to start fresh every single day, reaching out to Christ for that 4.0 perfect score. Each time we give an incorrect answer or fall short, we can take it to The Cross and learn from the ultimate teacher.

Christ is our Valedictorian. He is the one who will help us graduate summa cum laude. He is the one to restore us to our 4.0.

Here’s to “graduating” with Honors,
SGK

“If your life honors the name of Jesus, he will honor you. Grace is behind and through all of this, our God giving himself freely, the Master, Jesus Christ, giving himself freely.”
–2 Thessalonians 1:12 (MSG) 

PS: Where have you needed Christ to grade on a curve in your life? Have you struggled with the “Rule of 4.0?” I would love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment below.

Categories: blessing, challenge, childhood, Christ, fulfillment, God, grace, perspective, promises | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

To All His Good and Faithful Servants

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Sharita

God's love and affirmation can come in my forms...

God speaks to us in many ways… Sometimes it is through Scripture. Occasionally through song. Or another person.

And sometimes, He just straight up talks to us. However– we have to be willing to listen.

Today’s post isn’t eloquent or hilarious or exceptionally creative. It is a loving word I received from Him during the last few moments of my sabbatical in Pine Mountain this past weekend.

The following are words that He wanted me to hear– but as I prayed over them, He wanted me to share His heart with you as well.

So this post is for all you who are doing His work, whether that is praying, blogging, living a Christian life in a secular world, ministry, raising a family in Christ, you name it. If you have been called to live a Christ-like life, then this message is from God FOR you…. To All His Good and Faithful Servants.

“Place Me first and foremost in all areas of your day. I promise I will give you the energy and strength to accomplish what I have planned for you. Rely on Me to do the hard work– your trust in Me is the ultimate remedy to avoid exhaustion, frustration and burn-out.

I love you for who are, NOT for what you do. Your love and obedience is all I ask of you. Receive My gifts of power and truth that I am giving to you. I will strengthen you for the journey ahead, My beloved and mighty warrior. 

Remember that a ‘successful day’ is NOT determined by what you cross off your to do list, but rather how much you keep in touch with Me. It’s not what you do, it’s ultimately about how you glorify Me. Your personal plans of earthly things to do will never be completely accomplished. But that’s ok, because it is My purpose for you that truly matters. The more you are in tune with Me, the more opportunities I will give you to bring Me glory. In turn, I will fill you up from the inside out, overflowing with love and motivation. 

Get plenty of rest by spending time in my presence. Remember that people are a priority, not things. Keep your eyes open for how I am moving  and when you can love on someone. 

You are doing a great job, My Beloved One. I adore how you yearn to please and worship Me. Just remember that this is a learning process and I am the Ultimate Teacher. Any mistakes you make along the way are fully covered by My Grace. Keep running towards Me, My Good and Faithful Servant!”

I don’t know about you… but I am going to hold this precious message very close to my heart. My prayer is that this message from Our Father has spoke to you– empowered and encouraged you wherever He has called you. Keep pressing forward, my friends. I believe in you… and more importantly, so does God. After all, Beloved, He calls you His Good and Faithful Servant.

Pressing Onward for His Glory,
SGK

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” –Matthew 25:23

PS: Don’t forget! “A Latte Love” contest to win a Starbucks gift card is still going on until the article runs in the Bayonet this week. If this post (or any others) has moved you in any way, I would love for you to share with your friends and leave a comment here!

Categories: accomplishment, affirmation, cheerleader, glory, God, grace, obedience, plans | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Patience is…

Posted on October 18, 2011 by Sharita

Patience is…

Annoying? Impossible? Frustrating? A struggle? A virtue?

Pretty sure my opinion of “patience” has covered all of these descriptors– and more. I have never been a very patient person (Ahem, see yesterday’s post…)

Seriously, as a little girl, I didn’t just want things to happen now, I wanted them to happen yesterday… HURRY UP! The most dreaded words coming out of my Mama’s mouth (then and to this day) rivaled “Wait until your father gets home” in the form of “You are just going to have to wait and see…” followed by “Patience is a virtue.”

NOooooooooooo!! I don’t wanna wait and see. Patience as a virtue is overrated.  I really want to know now. Deal with it. Get on with things. Seriously. I have a to do list to do here people.

Fortunately, God has done a work on my heart over these last (almost) 26 years… and I have mellowed out– some. (It depends on my mood and ability to focus on Him.) Our society doesn’t help with the “patience” issue either– especially when it comes to our generation. Everything is fast and instantaneous– “Instant results!” “Download now!” “Immediate satisfaction!” “Do you want fries with that? Please pull around.”

So about this patient heart work situation… Just last Friday, I was running a bunch of errands that I had been putting off (the masters paper writing had taken precedence) After spending a morning making miscellaneous phone calls, doing financial-ly things at home, it was time to tackle my outside list of things to do.

Interestingly enough, all of my errands required waiting in lines… At the vet’s office, at the army hospital pharmacy, at the bank, at Sonic (Ok that wasn’t an errand per-say, but it was happy hour. I desired a Diet Dr. Pepper with Vanilla. But I digress.)

Fortunately, I had resolved myself to RELAX and not be so uptight about the whole line waiting situation. The combination of the phrase “Ruthlessly eliminate hurry” that I heard from a co-worker a couple of months ago (that he got from a book) and the servant evangelism/kindness lessons I have learned last semester in school helped me to enjoy my errands. I had no where to go that evening but home, and Brandon was going to be working a little later than normal.  I hoped to bring a little bit of un-grumpiness to the clerks I was dealing with. Let me explain.

There was only one lady working at the vet clinic desk. I was “second” in line and just needed to pick up heartworm/flea meds for the baby dog. Instead of fidgeting and scowling and being short with the clerk for “forcing” me to wait, I intentionally SMILED at her and made eye contact. After she looked at me like I had 7 eyes and the shock of someone polite and (pseudo) patient-ish wore off, she seemed less stressed.

As I was driving from the vet to the army hospital pharmacy, I started mulling over about patience… and was determined to keep it going, even with obnoxious traffic. The REAL test happened when I showed up at the pharmacy. It was my first experience at the hospital pharmacy and HOLY CHEESE AND CRACKERS. Pretty sure that eleventy billion people were sitting in the chairs at the pharmacy with their “numbers” waiting to be called. I took a deep breath, reminded myself that again, I had no where to go, took my number and grabbed a seat.

I think when I arrived they were on 237. My number was 283. And they were also throwing some 600 and 800 level numbers in there. About 45 minutes later, I made it to the counter to give them info to transfer a prescription from Fort Riley. After I finished, the lady looked up with terror in her eyes (literally) and squeaked out in a scared voice “Um, you do know that you can’t get this prescription today right? We have to transfer it then get it ready next week.”

Not quite sure what she expected me to do… It wasn’t a life threatening medication– just an inhaler for my blessed asthma that I need in the “cold” months for running. The way the pharmacist was acting, you would have thought she was prepared for me to either 1) have an emotional breakdown, kicking and screaming there in the floor, tears and all 2) run out the door hysterically screaming 3) shank her.

Fortunately for all parties involved, chose option #4, none of the above. I patiently replied “Yep, I know. I called ahead to check how the process worked and just wanted to get the ball rolling. So it will be ready early next week then?”

The look on her face was a mixture of shock, relief and glee. Someone of my generation, showing grace and patience to her… not shooting the messenger. It honestly kind of saddened me that we have set the standard for negative reactions when it comes to being patient. I still stink at being patient sometimes too… but it’s one of those God things– he’s gonna grow me and shape with me opportunities to be patient.

I don’t write these things to condemn… but rather to encourage. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22) One of the attributes of our awesome God is PATIENCE… He patiently waits on us to screw up, try to fix things ourselves, get frustrated, screw up again, THEN finally submit and turn to Him. If our God is that patient with us all the time, shouldn’t we extend the same grace, love and kindness to those around us?

Stop for just a second today and think… Do you need to be more patient? Ask God to help you with it (but be prepared that he isn’t going to snap his fingers and make you patient, but rather give you opportunities to engage patience.)

How can you extend Godly patience to someone in your life? Maybe a spouse or child? Or a supermarket clerk? A secretary on the phone? Perhaps that person in traffic that cut you off. Extend the grace, mercy, love and PATIENCE that God has already extended to you… Because after all, patience is… well, you can fill in the blank.

Patiently waiting for patience,

SGK

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” -Colossians 3:12

Categories: God, grace, Love, mercy, virtue | Leave a comment

A Butterfly Year

Posted on October 3, 2011 by Sharita

We’ve been married one year yesterday.

WAWHOO!!! One down, somewhere between 49 and 74 more years to go!! :-) Now, for all you anti-romantics out there, don’t go sipping that haterade too early… This isn’t gonna be a gushy, mushy, so-sticky-sweet-that-it-seeps-through-your-screen-and-ruins-your-computer post about how much I love my beloved Brandon and how lucky I am to have him in my life (although I do and I am!)

Instead its going to be almost practical. (Or at least that is what I am shooting for.)

Marriage is… interesting. For all of my married friends, you can probably attest to that. For my single readers, buckle up. You are in for an adventure!

My present to my beloved… Not to fry
turkeys… but to boil his malt & hops
for his home brew. Apparently, its a
new Knobloch hobby.

As I was reflecting on this past year, I wanted to come up with a single word to describe it. But words like happy, romantic, awesome, lovey-dovey (that’s one word– the hyphen doesn’t count,) sweet and educational didn’t quite cut it.

In one word, the first year of marriage for us has been TRANSFORMATIONAL.

It was a growth opportunity for both of us. And not the kind of “growth opportunity” that I reference when something was a total nightmare and I am just trying to be optimistic. Rather, we have truly GROWN this year– not only as a husband and wife, but also as Christians.

We based our marriage on 1 John 4:18– “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” Thanks to trusting the Lord, this transformational year has certainly been that: transformational.

Brandon and I were talking the other day about how God has changed both of us and Brandon used the word “metamorphosis.” I don’t know where exactly we are at in our metamorphosis as a couple– I am hoping that we aren’t one of those scary awkward caterpillars with the horns and huge eyes, but I also know that while it has been a “Butterfly” of a year, we aren’t quite at the beautiful, soaring butterfly state yet. Not sure if we are still wiggling around in our cocoon or if we are a baby butterfly with wet wings… but check back with us in the year 2060 and hopefully we will be in our optimum soaring state.

God has transformed our hearts by placing changes in our physical lives that we have had to work through (think: butterfly struggles to get out of the cocoon… but all that work makes it STRONG! Same for our marriage)

“Physical” transformational gifts God has presented in the last 365 days 
(which resulted in A LOT of Spiritual transformation):
  • October 2, 2010: WEDDED BLISS!! Depart for honeymoon in Rome, Italy.
  • November 2010: He called me to go back to school and get my masters.
  • January 2011: Brandon leaves for Drill Sgt School
  • March 2011: I fly out to SC to see Brandon graduate DS School
  • April 2011: I resign from a job I love as we prepare to leave our home and head to Georgia.
  • May 2011: We arrive in Georgia. Just the two of us. Zero friends present. Adopt a puppy.
  • June 2011: God leads us to Christ Community Church and Brandon begins his first full cycle as Drill Sgt.
  • July 2011: I beg Kelli to let me serve somewhere within the church; I become her intern. Gradually start making friends.
  • August 2011: Cycle graduation. I start blogging. We start praying specifically for people daily. God is working overtime on our hearts.
  • September 2011: Our prayer life grows. I become FRG leader for Foxtrot company. CCC Women’s retreat. More profound transformation.
  • October 2, 2011: Happy Anniversary to us. Thanks, God!
Our cake tastes even better than last year!
Or at least I am able to slow down
and taste it this time.

He calls me “Lover.” I call him “Beloved.” We have eaten our year-old wedding cake. (Don’t worry– it was in the freezer, and I think the sugar got even more concentrated. YUM) We have exchanged gifts. But most of all, we have been transformed by Christ teaching us how to base our marriage on Him, the unchanging, everlasting solid rock on which we stand. For then next 49ish years (or however long God keeps us on this earth) we pray that God, through His grace, will make each year a “Butterfly year” and transform our minds by living out the instructions from the word:


“Wives, understand and support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ. The husband provides leadership to his wife the way Christ does to his church, not by domineering but by cherishing. So just as the church submits to Christ as he exercises such leadership, wives should likewise submit to their husbands.


Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting. Christ’s love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness. And that is how husbands ought to love their wives. They’re really doing themselves a favor—since they’re already “one” in marriage.” –Ephesians 5:22-28 (MSG)


Serious husband points. Thanks Brandon!
You are kind of my favorite… <3

Thank you to everyone who has prayed, pep-talked, cheered for us, supported us, ministered to us and loved on us, even from a distance over the last 365 blessed and PRECIOUS days. GOD IS SO GOOD! Praise Him! We are beyond blessed and incredibly undeserving to have a Christ-like marriage that is “More Precious than Rubies…”

Here’s to many more Butterfly years!

Loving our cocoon,
SGK

“Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned.” –Song of Solomon 8:6-7

Categories: anniversary, grace, marriage, Rubies, transform | Leave a comment

Amazing Grace-centered Living: How Sweet the Sound!

Posted on August 4, 2011 by Sharita

As you might have noticed, God has been tugging on my heart A LOT lately about grace. Ironically, the following post was a discussion board prompt I submitted dealing with grace-centered vs. law-centered living and ministry last week… It has been “edited” a bit for bloggity-ness, but hope it gets your wheels a-turning! ~SGK


*************************

“He’s still working on me… to make me what I ought to be. It took him just a week to make the moon and the stars, the Sun and the Earth and Jupiter and Mars. How loving and patient He must be… 
’Cause He’s still workin’ on me.”

I grew up listening to this song via cassette tape, and as I was reflecting on this prompt, I realized that my grace-based living is a direct result of God’s grace and continual work on both my heart and ministry. Don’t get me wrong—I do believe there is a place for law in this world, living by the Ten Commandments for example, but I am in no way in a position to enforce that law or judge someone because of their choices. A sin is a sin and let’s be honest, we are all pretty big ol’ sinners.

For many years I have “ unofficially” ministered people through the challenges of life by providing impromptu pep talks, support and love. As I have grown closer to Christ over time and recently realized my call to ministry, I know that grace-based living is a must for myself as a Christian. I have just started an internship at Christ Community Church under an incredible SERVE director. Part of my (future) responsibility includes presenting and coaching people to discover their Spiritual gifts. In that process we talk about “Life Experiences,” and I know I can’t judge them for what they have done or where they have been. I am not the rule enforcer. I can, however, speak the truth in love, offering guidance on the law, yet still extend to them the same grace God has so graciously given me. As it says in Romans 6:14 “For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.” That is powerful reassurance for my choice of grace-based living. Can I get an AMEN?

Grace-based living has a significant impact on my relationship with God and others. Not only am I attempting to model my life after Christ (I fall short ALL the time) but I am also praying for those I am serving to extend grace to me when I make a mistake or fall into sin. Living “gracefully” opens more doors to spread the Good News. God’s grace is free and undeserved—so why should my grace on others be any different? Being a Christian isn’t about checking things off of a To Do list via laws, rules and regulations. Rather it is holding ourselves to a Christ-like standard, and embracing God’s Amazing Grace whenever we (and others) fall to sin.

One of the most positive aspects of grace-centered living focuses on my leadership expectations of others and myself. It allows me to revel in God’s grace and attempt to grasp this extraordinarily generous and vast concept. By doing so, my heart can be filled with the sincerest of passion, love and words to share with others about this free and wondrous gift that is available to them as well. Centering my life and ministry on grace boosts my credibility and relational capacity with others… we are all sinners, in the same boat, praying to have faith to walk on water towards the ultimate, heavenly, graceful judge in Jesus Christ.

So yes, He is still working on me. I am a wretch, once lost and now found, and it is all because of his amazing, remarkable, generous grace. I pray that my ministry will flow by his graceful means, extending it to others that I lead. My strength for grace-based living is said well in Galatians 2:21… “I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

Daily Deliberation: In what ways has God extended Grace to you today? Do you believe you show grace to others at the desired level? How can you continue to grow your ability to extend grace?

By His Grace,

SGK

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world. but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is– his good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather thing of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” — Romans 12:2-3

Categories: God, grace, growth, leadership | 1 Comment

The Art of Being "Grace-Full"

Posted on August 3, 2011 by Sharita

I am not graceful. In fact, if you ask my Mama, she would correctly (and lovingly?) state that I am downright clumsy. She loves to tell people that I am “that girl” that can manage to fall UP the stairs. I find it rather an odd bragging right and slightly ironic, since the very thing happened yesterday morning. My flip-flop-tripping-up-the-stairs-experience was followed by a very loud cry of “OH BOLOGNA SANDWICHES!” as I stared down at my throbbing toes/knees. (I’ve been working on weeding out word-vomiting of the occasional profanities, hence the random reference to lunch items.)

Thankfully, I have yet to break a bone or receive stitches from my inability to balance, sit or walk like a “normal” person. (I still can’t catch a flying object i.e. especially a baseball, but that is a story for another post.)  BUT the even better news is that we, as in you AND me, have been granted a bigger blessing to be grace-FULL… by the GRACE of God.

Understanding grace can be a difficult task. Before we begin, a word from Hebrews 4:16– “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Ok. Ready to approach the throne? AND GO. What IS grace?  According to Webster, grace means mercy/forgiveness and/or charm/loveliness. God’s grace encompasses both of these definitions. Other words for grace include benefaction, benevolence, charity, compassion, favor, forbearance, generosity, good will, goodness, kindness, leniency, love, pardon, reprieve, and tenderness. Intense, huh? (Didn’t know you were getting an English/vocab lesson today huh? Eh, maybe it’s a perk?)

Grace is mentioned 127 times in the NIV of the Bible. Of course if you count the “synonyms” listed above, that number grows exponentially. So why, oh WHY does God continue to forgive us each time we fall short? It is because of His endless, boundless, infinite love that comes in the form of grace via the sacrifice of His Son on the cross. Titus 2:11 says “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.” It is as simple as that… He love us. He forgives us. He asks us do the same towards others.

If my God-message-interpreting radar is correctly calibrated, I have a feeling that we are going to continue to dig deeper into the topic of grace in future posts. After all, grace is even mentioned in the FINAL verse of the ENTIRE Bible. Revelation 22:21– “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.”

So, I might not be graceful when it comes to climbing stairs, dancing ballet (that would be entertaining, HA!) or even walking down the street. But God has given us something much greater… He meets us where we are and has both showered and filled us all with endless grace. I am beyond thankful to be THAT kind of Grace-Full. How about you?

Food for thought: “I asked Jesus how much he loved me… He said ‘This much.’ Then He stretched out his arms… and died.”

A Grateful and Grace-Full Daughter of Christ,
SGK

“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.” — 1 Corinthians 16:23

Categories: God, grace | Leave a comment

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