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“For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” John 1:16 (ESV)

Wow – first week back to the office after 13 months of working from home.  And what a week it was!  I still have things in boxes; I guess eventually they will get unpacked and re-organized.  My fave word this week was “grace.”  When I wandered out of my office and forgot my mask  – grace.  When I misplaced my badge to enter the building – grace.  When I got to work late one morning – grace.  When I got the time mixed up for a leader’s meeting  – grace.  I think you get the picture.

Change even if welcomed takes some time to adjust or in my case re-adjust.  As I drove out of my driveway Monday morning – rain pouring down and lots of boxes, scanner, laptop, gym bag in hand – I prayed, “Lord I’m grabbing a hold of grace this week.”  Amazing how even uttering those words, softened my stressful first day.  Being kind to self served me well, reduced my stress and lightened my attitude.

But today’s the beginning of another week – grace is still there for me – but this week, I will embrace the change a little better and easier.  I will adapt to what I need to do different and embrace some grace for those moments I forget. I won’t use grace as an excuse, yet I will cherish it rather than stress over my less than perfect moments.

Do you need some grace in your week?  Maybe it’s a deadline hanging over your head.  Perhaps it’s struggling through a tough interaction with family, friends or co-workers.  Could it be a transition you didn’t expect? Maybe it’s shame and guilt from a decision that didn’t serve you well.  Could it be a reoccurrence of the one thing you pledged you’d never do again?

In those hard places, we are often our own worst enemy.  Overshadowed by the lies of Satan, we dwell on the ugliness within rather than the beauty and power of God’s grace. Rather than leaning into Him, we attempt to carry it all ourselves.  And the evidence of our mess is known to all.  The spewing out of our ungraced moments isn’t pretty.

Releasing our tendency for perfection or avoidance in the face of change welcomes grace.  Allowing ourselves some room to adjust and respond well.  Recognizing in this season, we simply can’t do it all.  Accepting our failures as divine opportunities to seek God’s forgiveness and walk away renewed. Grace – the freedom to accept where we are, whose we are and then move forward in sync with God.

“Father, You are our amazing grace – forever covering all of us right in the midst of our mess. So blessed and grateful for Your love.

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life