When I mention the word, grace, what pops into your head? Maybe the famous song, Amazing Grace? Or something extended to you in a moment of weakness? I previously wrote about a police officer extending me grace by not giving me a well deserved speeding ticket.
Then there is the ultimate grace.
God’s grace.
The one freely given to us.
This grace is truly sweet to my starving soul. The grace God has bestowed on my life is nothing less than miraculous. You may think this is an exaggeration, but allow me to share a few examples.
In college I couldn’t run fast enough from God. His rules for life seemed to hinder what I thought college was about. College was about getting an education, of course, but it was also about figuring out how to live life. I was finally on my own, sort of, and I wanted to try out my new independence.
Oh, the choices I made!
Most of which went against God. I thought these decision were part of college, part of the fun and life experiences it has to offer. Instead it led to the destruction of my relationship with God and turning my back on Him. Instead of obeying Him, I wanted to figure it out of my own. This meant falling into a career path that I struggle in, even though it comes somewhat easily to me. This path has been one of growing through grace back to God. He is showing me grace at a level which amazes me.
My first marriage didn’t turn out as I had envisioned, but out of the hurt and struggle, I was blessed with two amazing, beautiful, healthy children seeking to know God.
Then God gave me grace by bringing a strong Christian man into my life. He loves our own child just as much as his step children. Although, never once has he referred to them as step children. They have and will always be, his kids.
When I feel like I’m at the end of my rope, my husband raises me up in prayer and extends me grace when I have those moments where I need to ugly cry until I have nothing left or I take a bad day out on him. I can’t get any better than that in a husband.
Make no mistake, these gifts are for nothing I have done. It is by the grace of God. He has seen my mistakes, and still loves me enough to take me out of the muck and mire I’ve made of my life. He gives me gifts of His love even when I didn’t deserve them.
There isn’t anything we can do to deserve this gift of amazing grace. It’s simply a gift we can choose to accept or reject.
Will you accept the gift of amazing grace? Share in the comments below how God has amazed you with grace so others can be encouraged.