Grace

"If it wasn't for grace"...the words to a song I heard sung on Sunday morning worship.  The words lead me to contemplate what if grace didn't exist.  Would the absence of love and grace be a place of hell?  Am I truly grateful for the component grace and it's impact in my life?

My Burundi friends describe small handful size portions of creamy-porridge enough to serve the whole family for a day, sometimes a week.  The food fitting inside my cupped hands, to feed my family.  Are you kidding? My children's eating habits don't even include porridge, much less sharing a scooped handful between us. Grateful?  Yes my friends have experienced an attitude of gratefulness.  They see grace with different lenses; glasses I haven't worn.

I am committed to not comparing suffering.  You carry the cross which you bear, grace is sufficient for your needs, not compared to others.  It's enough to restore, heal and burden-trade for the child who carries the burden.  It's my philosophy for raising my children as well.  We as parents try to prepare our children as individuals; not expecting "sameness" but developing the tools we can give according to their ability and need.  It's seeing the child before you see a template; it's not comparing.

Grace that's sufficient is suited for my needs, seen by God.  Shaped by His gentle hands to equip me for the journey.  It's when my energy is focused on what I don't have, compared to others or what I endure, compared to others that my soul begins to waste and grow weary.  It's the withering of a branch.  Barely hanging on with little life.

Therefore in need or in abundance, I will choose Joy.  I choose to allow the gift of a handful of porridge to meet my needs.  I receive grace for what it is, a free gift of  love by a God that walks close to me, desiring me as His beloved.  Thankful this day...