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~