Extending Grace
Grace is defined as the free and unmerited favor of God. There are other definitions of Grace, yet; my focus is on my Christian beliefs.
Grace has reminded me to be more kind to myself. I created this image of myself and how I wanted others to view me. The view was not Miss Perfect yet, Miss Always Together. It really took God to gracefully remind me that the image he created me to walk and live in will not always be together. I have learned that I will never meet up to anyone’s standard of “how they see me.”
This is where God’s extension of grace comes into play because lately, I haven’t felt like myself. Even in those moments of anxiousness, unhappiness, and the mountain of questions that I have, God reminds me to extend myself grace as it’s not up to me to figure out this life. This reminds me of the scriptures from Matthew 6:25-30 (NLT)
“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you."
So much grace in those scriptures. Grace is a reminder to push forward and not worry. He gives me the grace to know that everything WILL NOT go the way I want it to go or even if I plan my life, it can all change. He reminds me to have the grace to forgive myself and others.
Grace to know when to stay or walk away from a situation that may not be pleasing to him. Grace to be authentic and love who I am. Grace to seek help and work on the person I am daily.
"Grace to get back in right relationship with him despite what I may feel is a downfall."
It’s so easy to go through life and expect things to happen instead of looking at the world and saying to yourself, “I will happen today.” I will happen to be filled with joy; I will happen to trust God; I will happen to know that everything that God has for me is for my good, no matter the situation or circumstances.
I write this knowing and reminding myself that I fall short of the glory of God daily, and he still extends me grace. That grace looks like me waking up in the morning, that grace looks like growing a human being, that grace looks like being kind despite how others maybe, that grace looks like forgiving myself of my shortcomings, that grace looks like persevering in doing all the things that God is allowing me to do in this season.
So I ask you “How has God EXTENDED GRACE to you?”
What will you do to ensure you are extending grace to others?
I am reminded that we never know what others face, so extend grace to them, be a light to them, add an encouraging or uplifting word, or pray for them. Don’t forget that Grace is the free and unmerited favor of God.
Embrace God, Love You and Be Fashioned For Him.
With care,
Shishandra D.