Over the course of this year I have been learning so much about God’s grace and how to extend grace to others. I find it no coincidence that the current sermon series at church is about grace. Until this year, I never truly understood grace. Yea, sure, that’s something that God extends to us. He sent His son to take death for us, He forgives us when we mess up, you know, standard “God’s grace” stuff. But since having a toddler, I have come to understand it is so much more than that.
My pastor has been touching on this point in his current sermon series that I have been coming back to myself already. We tend to accept God’s grace when we first become Christians. Then we act like we have to keep doing things to earn it. We feel like we are horrible people when we don’t get daily Bible reading in. We feel like we have to help ourselves out to stay in God’s good graces.
What a silly idea. We are God’s children. While we may disappoint Him at times, He always loves us. I never understood this fully until I had a child of my own. Abby can drive me crazy at times. She can frustrate and even anger me. But I never stop loving her. I never stop wanting to give her the thing she wants. Wait. You mean, that’s what it’s like with God? Talk about a major “ah ha” moment. That realization just made it sink in for me.
That doesn’t mean we get to just act how we want and not worry about it. God still wants us to be Christ-like. But that does mean that we need to stop thinking we can do anything to “earn” God’s grace. We need to stop the guilt when we make a mistake. A little guilt isn’t a bad thing but the major guilt that we are somehow out of God’s favor now isn’t a good thing. It’s completely incorrect. Hey, guess what? Just like I still love my daughter when I find a half a roll of toilet paper unrolled all over the bathroom or I discover she has taken off her diaper and peed in the crib (again), God still loves me when I take 3 months to complete a 21-day Bible reading plan. Or have one more drink than is wise at a gathering. Or get mad and swear at my husband. Yup. Totally still loves me and extends His grace to me.
Talk about mind blowing. I don’t deserve that at all but God just says, “Yea, I’m disappointed in how you handled that but I still love you. Just trust me to help you be better. Here’s some more grace.”
It’s been said but really, what an awesome God. Truly and completely, awesome.
Jenna810 says
This is exactly the idea that inspired my blog Heaven Not Harvard because I could see in my daughter’s relationship to me, my relationship to God. One entry I wrote was about patience and grace in discipline, much like the Lord has for us.
http://heavennotharvard.com/2014/06/14/welcome-to-the-club/
Julie @ Loggers Wife says
It really is awesome crazy how the parallel is just there. I grew up in a church so often took things for granted because I was taught them my entire life. Then bam! Had a kid and some things just make more sense.
Sharon Brobst says
So true! I am just beginning to understand God’s grace myself, in a deeper way. It is amazing isn’t it?!
Julie @ Loggers Wife says
It is amazing. 🙂
Jenny says
It is amazing to me the lessons I have learned about God as my Father since I have become a mother. These lessons have allowed me the freedom to extend grace to myself and to accept His grace knowing this is how it all works between me and my children.
Julie @ Loggers Wife says
I was reminded again of these today as my daughter took off on me at Goodwill and didn’t want to come back (very unlike her). I know I have totally done that to God. Ah, all the parallels. 🙂
Andrea Mitchael says
I love your post, Julie! It is SO TRUE! So often we feel like we have to earn God’s favor and hold up my end of the bargain, or something. Sometimes we don’t let God be who He IS! Thank you for this excellent reminder!
Julie @ Loggers Wife says
Thanks, Andrea. It’s true. Especially here in New England where we are taught from a young age to learn how to be super self-sufficient, it is hard to remember to let God be…God. 🙂