Grace And Beyond

Dear Choco Laahhts, Grace And Beyond 4/23/08 Have you ever heard the phrase “you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink”? It’s true! Not just for animals for people as well. There have been times in my life when I have been “led to the water” but was too stubborn to drink. And likewise, there have been people in my own life that I wish I could have just made them drink. I knew that the water from that drink would have been just what that person needed. For instance…when I tell my little boy to do something that will keep him safe that he disagrees with, almost every time he ends up getting a boo boo. But then something amazing happens. Mercy happens. I pick him up, assess the damage, and then I kiss and snuggle him until the next time. Jesus has been doing that for me. Holding me, praying to the Father for me, giving me grace that I can’t provide for myself. Lately I have been treasuring His grace and mercy. I have found out recently that no one can force God’s hand of grace. Only God can select when the right time is to depart a special blessing of grace to someone. Lately, I have been going through some challenging times and yet through it all, His grace has covered me. In one of by Bibles there’s a little blurb about being gracious and I loved how grace was described: “someone has said…mercy is when you deserve a punishment but don’t get it and grace is when you don’t deserve something good, but get it anyway for free”. I have been given blessings on every side. Thinking of grace and mercy makes me think of Moses. As an infant he was supposed to die because of a decree to kill all of the first born sons. He was obviously granted mercy by the King. And later in his life he ended up having God’s grace as a constant gift while leading God‘s chosen people to the promise land. So if today you find yourself needing grace and mercy just ask Him for it. The Word says in Matthew 7:7-8 “Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.” So, be encouraged! And ask, seek, and knock because your grace and mercy are right around the corner! In Him, Dede