The Other Side of Grace

Grace is what I'm most thankful for this year.  Yep, grace!  All my life, my parents were faithful to instill in me, a knowledge of what God's grace did for us, on the cross; forgiveness, righteousness, cleansing.  I've always looked at grace that way...I've been forgiven by someone who paid my debt for me and grace was extended to me.

But this year, I've come to experience another side of God's grace.  His grace that carries us through the things of life that are hard and messy and hurtful.  This side of His grace is the stuff hope is made of.  It's what carries us through to the other side, from pain to victory.  It's His strength in us.  I'm so grateful for this precious gift.  It wasn't a gift that came all wrapped up neatly with a pretty bow.  It came in the midst of prayer and tears and waves of emotions that were often paralyzing.  It came through pressing in and hanging on to a faithful God.

Oh, dear reader, I don't want you to think that I have a heavy heart here.  With God's grace comes deep joy and that's where I am...in the midst of peace and joy.  So I am thankful for grace...every bit of it...the forgiveness, the cleansing, the peace and the joy.

I wish everyone of my readers a joyous Thanksgiving, a sweet time surrounded by loved ones and the gift of grace.

I'm joining with Joan at Reflections of His Grace.  Visit there to see what God is laying on the hearts of other wonderful believers!

From His lap,