Sweet Grace

​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. – 2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV
 
Grace! What a beautiful concept! Grace and mercy are often spoken of together and indeed, they are connected. However, mercy has more to do with God withholding what we deserve – the punishment for our sins, the full consequence of our choices, etc. Grace is God giving us what we don’t deserve – eternal salvation, love, blessings, peace, empowerment – the list could go on and on.
 
Grace! Every day we live by grace. Each moment is a gift. Each touch of a loved one is a cherished blessing. Yet, how often we do not notice or ignore the grace that so freely flows around us. 
 
As I get older, I’ve become more and more convinced that we choose to be happy or miserable, positive or negative. We choose to walk in grace or wallow in our disappointments. It’s the blessing or curse of the free will we were given by God. 
 
I know pain. I live with loss. Hurt and I go way back. These dark companions are never far away and it’s easy to focus on them. They seem to pop up unexpectedly and can quickly take over if I choose to let them. 
 
But I choose grace! Incredible, beautiful grace. I feel it in the calmness of time with my husband (who has also learned to choose grace). I experience it in the cheery giggles of my young son (who is an entire bundle of grace – some of you know his story!). I find it in the chosen times of solitude with my Lord (who is the Source of all grace).
 
Dear brother or sister, today choose to see the grace all around you!
 
I was downhearted, I was broken inside 
Praying for mercy with nowhere to hide, 
There was a solace searching for me 
Grace ever-flowing that set my soul free

For grace, marvelous grace 
I needed grace to pardon and make me whole 
Grace, marvelous grace 
Flows from above with infinite love
Marvelous grace.

-sung by The Martins

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