Grace…
Grace started with a simple gift. A flag made by a happy crafter and given by a gentle friend. I loved it the minute I laid eyes on it.
A month or so later the new year was approaching and a friend said ‘Have you ever had a ‘word’ for the year?’ Not having any words to answer she told me that sometimes God gives us a word for the year, a word to permeate us, a word to live by, a word to grow by.
As I thought about it, the little flag caught my eye. Grace called to me.
In the past five or so months I’ve learned more about grace. Grace is a husband who doesn’t point out shortcomings and loves me more each day. Grace is a friend whose known me so long there are no secrets and loves me regardless. Grace is a friend who gave a grace flag and not too long after went home to be with the Lord. Grace is children who had an imperfect mom, yet on mother’s day sent love in many forms. These are all grace, but there is more.
I am to be grace as well. Grace to let a misdeed not make me react in anger. Grace to not judge by appearances. Grace to look beyond struggles with an eternal perspective. Grace to let others be wrong and not point it out. Grace to be wrong and not be ashamed. Grace to not define myself or others by our pasts.
How can it be? How can all this grace, any of this grace be real? Only, only because I am Grace-Full. The Creator of grace has bestowed upon me, and you, all grace. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8 NIV)
And so as this year of ‘grace’ proceeds I can be confident of this “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2Corinthians 9:8 NIV)
I am Grace-Full – not because of me. Only because the God of all grace fills me and as I seek to model His grace, maybe, just maybe, it will overflow to another soul.
parisrenae 
I love my flag word of joy. This year I have been trying to find joy in all things. Our friend continues to influence and point us to our loving merciful Father still!
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So glad to hear you have a Joy flag – your word for the year 🙂 Yes, the grace of friend continues long after she has left us. And yes, our Father is so loving and so merciful. Have a blessed Friday…
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What a beautiful site you have! I don’t always pick a word for the year, but I felt God prompting me with this one for 2016: “RESPOND” Love your word and the opportunity to really focus on God’s grace for the year.
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Thank you for stopping by and thank you for your kind words. I love your ‘word’ for the year, respond. Yes, so often we hear or see, but do we respond or do we choose our comfort zone. Thanks for sharing. Blessings on your day…
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