This morning Jesus woke me up with the word “grace”. How grace does what it shouldn’t. What’s not deserved or expected or earned. So often in our sense of pride or entitlement or whatever it is, we feel that we should receive certain things from certain people. They owe us something so they should do such and such. Or they did this, so I should do that. Fairness. What’s due. Reciprocity.
But grace will never be equal or what’s due or reciprocal. It will never be what’s expected or deserved. It will be everything that shouldn’t be done by human standards. Because it’s not fair. It doesn’t make sense. But it’s bigger. It’s better. It’s beautiful.
Sometimes we are called upon to decide if we will choose grace. Today was that day for me. A day that I had to forgive a deep hurt inflicted. My initial response was not grace. It was ugly, raw, undeniable anger. My response was fair. It was what would be expected. It made sense. But in the middle of my rightful moment, I heard the whisper that I had heard first thing this morning. “Grace”. Soft, but clear as a bell. And at that very second I could not imagine doing anything else but choosing it. My tears changed from bitter, to sweet. Thoughts of how many times I have been offered grace by others, and more poignantly, by God Himself flooded my mind. I was humbled to my knees in gratefulness. And as grace took the place of anger, there was a lightness in my heart. Not painless, but beautiful.
Jesus, thank you for the early wake up call. It truly prepared me for what I did not see coming. Thank you, Jesus, that you walk this daily road with me and continually teach me, talk with me, and give me Your grace so that I can do the same. I do so love you!!!!
