Becoming Women of Grace

I finally had a moment to myself.

I was all alone, mindlessly browsing the aisles of a local department store. It was not a high-end store, but I didn’t care in that moment. After the week I had, I’m a mom of four here, I was in heaven.

A unicorn toy sitting on a shelf, out of place, caught my eye. I knew my five-year-old foster daughter would love it. I grabbed it, tossed it in the cart and continued enjoying the peace and quiet. As I weaved in and out of the aisles, my mind went back to her behavior that day and the days before. Her behavior, as a result from trauma, was the very reason I needed this break in a local Walmart of all places. So I stayed on that thought and on what had transpired as a result of her actions. I found myself, inadvertently, taking the unicorn toy out of my cart and placing it back on the shelf. Even though I knew she would love it, in my mind, she did not deserve it. 

Have you ever found yourself doing this? Wanting to do something special for someone but you change your mind because of their behavior, their actions, or their decisions. 

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God’s Grace

But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.

Luke 24:2 NKJV

Over the days to follow, my mind was stuck on the empty tomb. I couldn’t help but think about Jesus. Early that morning, before the sun came up and Mary found the tomb empty. I couldn’t help but think that His mind was reminded of my sin. He, knowing how down right shameful I am, did not change His mind and stay in that tomb. Instead, He chose grace. He gave me something that I didn’t deserve based upon my actions, nor could I ever earn or pay back. Still yet, He rolled the stone anyway.

Grace – Greek word “Charis” meaning; grace, kindness, and life. 

I can never give the magnitude of what Jesus gave in rolling that stone away. His grace gave me eternal life. However, this lesson allowed me to see how extremely lacking I am in grace and how much I struggle to give it. 

The Struggle with Grace

Maybe you my friend can relate…..

I often strive for perfection, fail, and struggle to show myself grace. 

My kids act despicable and, if I’m honest here, I don’t want to give them grace. 

My friend lets me down and my disappointment hinders me from showing her grace. 

Someone hurts my kids and grace is the last thing I could possibly give them. 

My husband snaps at me and instead of grace, I find myself holding a grudge for days. 

Becoming Women of Grace

Grace is hard for me, maybe it is for you too. But just because it’s hard, doesn’t mean we can’t learn from it and strive to do better.

It’s a daily battle for me, and I don’t have all the answers on this. Yet what I do know is for certain: because of Jesus choosing to roll that stone away, I can, through Him, become a woman of grace. So, when I find myself struggling to show grace, I now remind myself of this: He rolled the stone anyway Erika, and so should you.

Love you friends,
Erika

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