Tuesday, July 13, 2010

God's Grace....



For some reason over the last few days, I have been consumed with an overwhelming feeling and a desire to just give thanks for "God's Grace." I have always loved the song Amazing Grace and usually tears will gently flow down my cheeks when I sing it. Of course, that's nothing new considering I am a very sensitive & tender hearted person anyway.

But it got me to thinking, have you ever looked up the definition of grace? Grace: A characteristic or quality pleasing for its charm or refinement. A disposition to be generous or helpful; goodwill. Mercy; clemency. Divine love and protection bestowed freely on people. The state of being protected or sanctified by the favor of God. An excellence or power granted by God. A short prayer of blessing or thanksgiving said before or after a meal.

As you can see above the definition of grace is a blessing, a divine love, protection bestowed freely on people, sanctified by the favor of God. Being in God's grace is most precious. Then I find myself asking, if grace is so wonderful and such a blessing, why is it sometimes so hard to be "graceful" and live a Godly life?

Then I remembered the old word...Devil. See, the devil does not want us to be graceful or accepting of God's grace. He would rather us be miserable and live a sinful life. One where it is known to be the "easy road" vs. living for God. But truly, if you really think about what it means to be Godly it doesn't say we are perfect or sin free; it means we are good, honest, graceful, God seeking individuals trying to reach a destination.......Heaven.

I'm far from perfect and I have many flaws - but I am also trying every day to be better than I was the day before. To be graceful. To be kind. To be loving. To be all the things that I wasn't sure I liked about me before because I thought it showed weakness. I realize now, it's not weakness, but it's a gift from God to be able to love, forgive, seek to be better and to be humble. Does that mean I don't stumble and fall? No! What it means is that when I'm wrong I admit it, when I fall I pick myself back up, even if it's by using the hem of his garment as a lever to get on my knees and then on my feet.

Falling is a gift and part of the battle because it teaches us grace. It allows us to admit that everyday may be harder than the day before, but it also means that we have another chance, another opportunity to do better, to be better and to be a witness for God. That is my daily goal. That is my prayer!

Maybe God is placing 'grace' on my heart so I can finally realize that it's okay to be the sensitive & tender hearted person I am. That if I just walk in faith, follow his plan and give it my all - then I will be graced with His love, forgiveness, and most of all be blessed and have his blessings bestowed upon me.

I admit there are some days when the walk feels like a run on an uphill rocky mountain side with no place to keep a steady footing. I often feel like I am swimming in an angry sea without a life jacket and then all of a sudden I see the boat and then the lighthouse. That's God picking me up and letting me know he's found favor in what I've been trying to accomplish and that is to simply live closer to him and in his Grace!!

The picture for this post is one I took on Sunday when we were at the deer lease. The clouds were building and forming some of the most unique and amazing forms ever seen. I tried to capture them but they changed so fast. This picture is an example (for me) that even when you think you're lost and in a wide open space where you think there's no hope or any way out, just look up...there you will find God's Grace!!

Psalms 84:11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield. The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.

Blessings,
Candye~

Monday, July 12, 2010

Joy!


This year has literally flown by. It's amazing to think we are almost half way through the year and should be thinking about buying Christmas presents already. Yes, I said it. You know if we'd start early it wouldn't be such a panic come December 15th, which is when the majority of us start, including me! Oh I have good intentions, and around this time of year it hits me that Christmas will be here before you know it, and I always say I will not wait until the last minute to shop. Well, we all know how long that lasts.

But it reminds me of our life and our walk with God. We always have great intentions and think we will get on the straight and narrow sooner rather than later, and unfortunately, for some later never comes.

Why is it we let the hustle and bustle of life get in the way or at least use it as an excuse for why we don't do something? I know I am guilty of it. I always think, "I'm going to start that exercise program tomorrow," or "I am going to not let work get in the way of riding." Truth is, we all are living a busy life but we simply do not stop long enough to give God the glory he deserves or take the time to love our families like we should.

If you really think about Joy it means (J)esus first, (O)thers second and then (Y)ourself last. I know that seems contrary to what most have always told us. We often hear, "you really should stop and put yourself first sometimes," and that is true, we need "me time." However, if we really lived by the theory of JOY then I believe we would find more time for ourselves because you'll notice work isn't there at all. (HA) For me, that's my biggest time consumer.

I've digressed a little from my verse, which is the purpose of today's blog. When I think of Jesus and all he has brought me through I get joy that flows from the inside out. However, when I think of the times that I didn't let Jesus guide my life there is or was little joy there and what joy was there was only temporary and not everlasting.

Today's verse made me stop and think about how hard it is to be nice to those who are hurtful to you or your loved ones. I wonder how Jesus forgave the ones who hung him on the cross? One of my favorite sayings is, "When life isn't a bed of roses, think of who wore the thorns." Oh how hard it must have been and all the pain he endured for our transgressions that we may have life eternal. Yet we are so quick to hurt the ones we love the most or quick to temper when things don't quiet go our way. Yet we rarely think of one who wore the thorns and how he has already paid the price for us. It certainly gives you something to think about.

So the next time you want to be hurtful to someone or only good to those who are good to you (or not) - I challenge you to stop and think.....What would Jesus do?

Today's verse: If you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even "sinners" do that. (Luke 6:33)

I hope today's blog has helped you in some way to stop and think about where you are and where you're going? Is your journey in alignment with what God has in store for you - or are you simply going through the motions (most of which are hidden and buried deep inside) of daily life just trying to make it through one more day?
My friend, Jesus is your hope, your joy, your peace and the only comforter you really need. Won't you lay down your burdens at the cross and surrender all? Won't you take that walk with me and let Jesus guide your path? I promise, your journey may have bumps in the road, trials along the way, but in the end isn't Heaven where we're all destined to go? I know I am! I've set my GPS for due North and I'm looking up for my road map and the final address in my GPS is simply set for: Streets of Gold, city/state of Heaven!!

Blessings,
Candye