The two of them stood swaying on the bus. I was lucky enough to hold a seat so I wouldn't be thrown about by the potholes that the driver went out of his way to hit. I couldn't help overhearing their conversation as I tried to look away.
One of the men was talking about his life. He spoke of betrayal by a friend, the loss of a relationship and the death of a parent.
“How you holding up, man?” the other asked.
“By God’s grace,” was the reply.
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| Photo by JB London |
I thought about this conversation all day and of my own life, filled with many of the same stories. My answer has always been a blur of excuse and blame. But I liked what he said.
By God’s grace.
It’s a word used too loosely. The church down on 13th has a sign, "Grace Lutheran Preschool.”
We’ve heard plenty of sermons on grace and some use it as on their signature block on e-mails. John and Sarah named their daughter Grace. I even saw a car with the bumper sticker “Grace Happens.”
But it’s just another word until you’ve lived it.
When one-by-one your friends leave you, for no other reason except your own actions, you have to cling to it. Because that’s all you have.
When your spouse walks out the door, disgust rising from her stomping shoes. And you know she’s right. You can only learn to breathe again by God’s grace.
When your boss slinks into your office on Friday morning with three pieces of paper and wishes you good luck, all you have right then is God’s grace.
When your excuses are stripped away and the spotlight of truth shines on you, there is no other place to run except to His Grace.
Yeah. What He said.
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Also read Journey to Beloved today, "Droplets of Grace." It will blow you away.
Care to comment? Click here.
Also read Journey to Beloved today, "Droplets of Grace." It will blow you away.
20 comments so far - add yours here:
Wow.
His grace and mercy never fail. None of us are truly worthy. Thanks for sharing.
The day I finally became a man and gave it all up to Him, by His grace my life turned around and I began to soar.
Well timed post for me David. My wife's job runs out in a week and in a month so does our insurance. She has been told she is uninsurable. So it will have to be by God's grace. Unless you live it... Well said.
My favorite post you have ever written...its all about His grace. wow.
Love this...
without grace, we have nothing, are nothing...
beautiful David.
Indeed. Yes, indeed.
I have heard grace defined as "undeserved favor from God." You have captured that meaning.
Blessings.
yes ... so much more than the folding of the hands ... so much
Amen, David. When you've barely made it through the storms and are still somehow breathing, it is only by God's grace. I try to keep that firmly in the front of my mind in every new challenge.
So I'm asking,
How is it that you turn one amazing post after another?
I needed to read this today, David. Thanks.
I'm wondering. When it's all sunshine and full bank accounts and robust health and puppies and fresh strawberries, is that not too His grace?
All, only, nothing else.
What a reminder. Sigh.
Thanks David, as always.
His mercy--His grace--is new every morning. He doesn't give us more than a day's worth at once so we'll keep coming back, as we should.
I have been there. It is a wonderful and terrifying place when we only have His Grace.
Thank You! I agree that this is THE best post that you have written. I appreciate your thoughts.
Blessings
Oh, a breathless 'Amen.'
Amen and Amen..
But it’s just another word until you’ve lived it.
So true, I was always quick to tell people to rely on God's grace until I began going through extremely trying circumstances myself. I realized I have to come to a place where I know what it is to live by God's grace before I have the right to help others in that area.
This was beautiful, and painful. With grace there is always hope, though. I think you've captured that well here.
That slippery, lovely thing called grace - it is there when we least expect, but most need it.
Hope you had a great trip to NM.
Yeah, what he said. Beautiful, David.
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