Grace

Grace has been on my mind, tumbling around a lot in this season of life.  Grace.  Both the undeserved grace I am shown again and again and again (after all, isn't everything grace, really?) and the grace I'm called to extend outwards towards others.  Proverbs talks about having gracious speach, Jesus commands us to love our enemies (and those who treat us wrongly) and have grace towards them, James tells us that God hates the proud, we are to humble ourselves and right along with humbling ourselves, we see opportunities for giving grace.

One of my very favorite bloggers wrote this guest blog over at (in)courage today.  I thought the entire post was worth reading, but she ended with this prayer which was especially good (and thought-provoking).

Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them.
Enemies have driven me into your embrace more than friends have.Enemies have loosed me from earth more than friends have…
Enemies have made me a hunted animal, finding safer shelter than an unhunted animal does.

I found safest sanctuary in You…may too my enemies-made-grace.
I found greatest grace in You… may my enemies-made-grace find Your generous grace alive and radical in me.
I found fullest forgiveness in You… may my enemies-made-grace find faith and freedom in You and Your forgiveness working surprising ways in me.

The longer I walk with you, Lord, I find I have no enemies: only your gift of chisels etching me deep.
Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them.

I've been meditating on 2 Cor. 8:9 often, as I sometimes feel I don't have (or don't want to have) grace to give towards those who say rude things or are hurtful towards people I care about or when my toes get stepped on (along with my pride) or when I'm tempted to say something I really shouldn't or when I feel like I can't fight the sin that is in my heart, threatening to overcome.  I've been turning it into a prayer, as I try to see the grace I've been shown, see the grace that is being supplied to me, and fight to extend that grace outward and into my life and family.

"And He is able to make all grace about to you so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work (2 Cor. 8:9)"