Grace means getting something you do not deserve.
Grace is a concept I didn't grow up with, yet something I'm trying desperately to teach our daughters. Something I long to understand and to live. I ordered a 3-pack book set on mothering probably a year ago. Included in the set was a book called, "Grace Based Parenting." I wish I could tell you more about the book but I've honestly not read it in it's entirety, yet. What I did read triggered the desire within me to learn and teach grace.
Having grown up in a family where you built your worth by working hard, grace is somewhat of a foreign language. I grew up attending church, hearing the word "grace" but never really understanding or feeling it. As I've fumbled through what it looks like to live with grace, I have noticed that grace stands out. It's unexpected and shocking to be the recipient of something you don't deserve and haven't earned. I grew up thinking something like that was cheating, slacking, being lazy. To lower yourself to the level of accepting something that you didn't work for or earn, was embarrassing.
It makes me think of little children and how easy it is to have grace with babies and toddlers. It's easy to hug them and kiss them, even though they do not express the desire for your affection or give the same in return. It's so simple to shower them with unearned joys; books and toys, time and attention. I think of how much harder it becomes (at least for me) as they get older and we balance the concepts of grace with responsibility, consequences, and work ethic.
When I think of the life Jesus lived here on Earth, I think of the grace he lived. I think of the miracles he performed for everyday, undeserving people. I think of the provisions he gave to those who had need. All grace. When I look at the amount of time Jesus spent showing grace compared to having good work ethic, I think overwhelmingly is his example of grace. Since he was pretty intentional about his time on Earth, I kinda think it was on purpose.
2 Corinthians 12:8-9 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
May we all live life with more grace.
~Angie
