A Thankful Heart: Giving Thanks for Grace

Participating in Five Minute Friday, again.  Click HERE to read all about how YOU can join us and write freely.  Today's word prompt is Grace.

Go.

For from his fullness we have all received, *grace upon grace.  John 1:16  

Some versions say grace in place of grace.  

I really like the Amplified version of this verse:

For out of His fullness (abundance) we have all received [all had a share and we were all supplied with] one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favor upon favor and gift [heaped] upon gift.  John 1:16

There is an abundance of grace awaiting us.  An abundance!  Grace upon grace.  We cry out to God and He pours His grace over us like a cleansing rain.  Jesus is our grace in place of grace.  He is the center of all the grace we receive and give.  

Why then, is it sometimes so hard to receive grace for our sins, our failures, our frustrations, our life?  Sometimes it seems so easy to pour grace out to others, leading them to Jesus, and then beat ourselves up for the very same thing, not believing that same grace is available to us.

This is as much a reminder to myself as it is to you, my friend.  No matter how deep our sin, His grace is deeper still.  No matter how far our failures fly, His grace flies further still.  No matter how big our issues, His grace is bigger still.  He isn't just giving us partial grace, but full grace to cover each one of us through each nook and cranny in our lives.  

Be encouraged today to lean hard into Him when you're not wanting to give yourself grace, and remember that His grace is sufficient for you.  His power is made perfect in your weakness.  Let His grace wash over you today, receive it fully, and live it fully.  When you live in the grace you have received, your life becomes alive in Him.  He loves you, fully, completely and wonderfully.

Stop.