I am my own worst enemy. I get stuck in my head and play all the scenarios. I am super hard on myself. I have not been great at giving myself grace. I am working on that. One thing I have learned is when I am spiraling in my thoughts, emotions or behavior it is usually connected to when I feel hurt, angry, overwhelmed, powerless or scared.

When we don’t give ourselves or others grace we can move into shame and being a victim. We take away our ability to walk in the freedom that letting go gives us.

Grace can be a churchy word and is defined as an undeserved gift from God and that as Christians we are obligated to return the favor to everyone around us. So why is it so hard?!?!?

In his book: Learning to Speak God from Scratch Jonathan Merritt says:

”Grace on the receiving end is a lovely flower.
Grace on the giving end is the pits.

Grace on the receiving end is free, no doubt.
Grace on the giving end may cost you everything.

Grace on the receiving end is joyful.
Grace on the giving end is often painful.”

Grace can be hard because it will cost us something. Sometimes it’s easier to hold onto that anger, bitterness, disappointment, hurt, etc. Grace takes away our excuses for self-pity, destructive behaviors and getting even. The “they need to pay” justice we seek is no longer be in our hands.

In our cancel culture, 24/7 social media and news cycle overload we need grace now more than ever. Why do we hold ourselves and others hostage over a snapshot of their life? There have been many moments in my life that I would not want the sum of my life to be judged by.

I am a strong believer in when you know better, you do better. We have an opportunity to repay to someone what we have been given so lavishly through Jesus. We all need mercy and grace. We are all imperfect and want to be understood.

The Power of AND…

Life isn’t always an either/or proposition, most times it’s a and/with one. They are different sides of the same coin that do not cancel each other out, but can co-exist as we slow dance through that moment in our lives.

grief and joy love and hate
happiness and sadness pride and shame
feeling stuck and having hope forgiveness and bitterness

For example: we are not cheating on grief and the memory of our loved one when we allow joy into our lives. We never get over grief, it’s just part of who we are now. The real work of grace is allowing room for joy in the midst of the grief.

Sometimes we can get so stuck on how we think someone should be responding or acting that we don’t let grace mandate our response.

We need to allow grace for being overwhelmed. Life is not tied up with a cute bow, it is messy. Just like a Fluffanutter sandwich: it’s sticky, gets all over your hands and everything you touch. Even though you know that going in, you make the sandwich and enjoy. every. bite.

Leaving room for the mess, makes room for grace to change us and our response. It allows us to be ok with mistakes and shortcomings, because we know it’s not the end of the story.

”Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Hebrews 4:16

“For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was His plan from before the beginning of time-to show us His grace through Christ Jesus. ” 2 Timothy 1:9

We can give grace, first to ourselves and then to others, because we received God’s grace. We know the way we have acted and still He loves us, fights for us and never turns His back on us.

If you haven’t allowed God’s grace in your life, may I suggest that you take a moment and let Him breathe fresh life into you? It can be through remembering you are His; forgiving yourself or someone else; or letting go of an offense or hurt.

Grace is a gift, that we get from God and regift it to others. Don’t be stingy!

Now, if you’ll excuse me I’m going to go make a Fluffanutter, I got hungry. :)

Have an amazing, fabulous grace-filled day!
All My Love ~
Jodi xoxo

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