Grace

Why is it that when we see a child stumble and fall, or make a mistake we are quick to show grace and kindness, but when it comes to ourselves we are mean, spiteful and harsh? Would it help to know that God sees us the way we see those children? When I think about my younger cousins and how I have watched them grow, I think of all the times I have seen them fall. Sometimes they pop back up, but sometimes they rush to me or I rush to them and they sink into my arms wailing and we stay there for a few minutes. Either way, once they cry it out what happens more often than not is they immediately want to go back to playing. When I see this I’m not thinking “that’s stupid” or “irresponsible” or even “naive.” What I am thinking is “That is brave.” If I can believe that of a three-year-old and an eleven-year-old, why can’t I believe it of myself?

My oldest cousin is beginning those pre-pre-teen years and I can see, now that I’m on this side of that, how much of a struggle that time can be. You are trying to declare independence without a real understanding of what you want to be independent of or for. I’ve noticed there are lots of uncharacteristic moments. Moments when both she and I are wondering who she is in that moment of rebellion, or exhaustion, or hunger. But what the Holy Spirit has been reminding me of lately is that what we do is not who we are. Somewhere buried under that frustrating action is someone I know and love very much. That helps me defend her, defend us against my own anger. It helps me let go and move forward so we can start fresh.

Now why, if I am able to do that with an eleven-year-old is it so difficult for me to do that for myself? Even now when I know how God sees me. I know that He loves me, that there is nothing I can do to undo the life-saving gift of grace Jesus gave me, but the temptation of an adult is to make everything more complicated.

It is, and always has been as simple as the scenario above. I fall or rebel, I run to my loving Father tell Him about my hurt, mistake or recklessness. Sometimes a simple “you’re okay,” from Him may be enough, but maybe sometimes I’ll need to sit in that hug a bit longer. To soak up that forgiveness, grace, love, and comfort. Then I’ll have to be brave enough to run back out into the world, the one that just hurt me or that I just hurt, and go play again. Go live life to the fullest again confident in the gifts of grace I’ve just received. Simple as that.

I think about David when I think about the subject of grace. He messed up a lot, but he always apologized to God. No matter how big or small the offense. He always acted in obedience to get right with God again. It doesn’t mean there weren’t consequences, there always are, but for humans knowing we are forgiven, that we still matter to God, it changes us in very rich and lasting ways. I think of Peter after being accepted three times after his three denials of Jesus or any of the people in the bible who were healed with the words “you are forgiven.” Grace changed these people on a cellular level, and I believe it does the same for us. So let’s show ourselves some.

“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.” Rev 22:21