God's Grace

            Out of all the many lessons my mother has endeavored to teach her  children, the lesson of grace is one that will always be with me. God’s grace is the most prevalent truth that comes to mind when I think of all that my mother has demonstrated, taught and lived out in her own life. This great and powerful truth of God’s grace being enough for any situation is one that will benefit you in any stage of your journey in faith.  In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 it says “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 about my weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

         

         My mother, as most mothers do, faces a number of daily trials. Whether that is from a husband, child, a child that cannot be conceived, job issues, illness, whatever the trial, they are ever present in the life of a mother.  What my mother so lovingly showed me time and time again, was finding joy in her hardships.  It was as though she gave me the ultimate key to true happiness, Christ’s grace.  If you can find this grace when you are troubled and burdened, you have found a great thing.  

        

        Christ never taught us that our lives would be easy.  His own life was one of pain and sorrow, but yet at the same time filled with the love and joy of the grace given him by His Father.  He inspired men to write how to live in righteousness under difficulties.  James calls this peace that one finds in hardships, genuine religion.  James 1:2 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance... “.  The inspired authors of the Bible deal with the awesomeness of the grace of God throughout scripture.  Timothy states “You then my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Tim 2:1)

           

        Many times when these men write of God’s grace, they also bring in the character quality of humility along-side of grace.  Here in 1 Peter 5:5-7 it says “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble’. Humble yourselves, therefore under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” What a powerful verse! To know that we all are in the sovereign hands of a God that loves and cares for us.  Our kind Savior brings these things into our lives for His glory and our good. He never gives us anything that is too much, for He knows how much we can bear.

         

        This teaching of God’s ever-present grace is vital to our walk with Christ in this fallen world. I am very thankful for the time, energy, and courage my mother took in teaching her children the truth and power of God’s grace for His dearly beloved children.

From a grateful daughter ~PaulinaMarie