We Have All Received Grace After Grace


My previous post was Psalms 102:24, which I read on my birthday, and I wrote about how I am looking forward to God's plans for the rest of my life. What I didn't write about is what I was actually feeling on my birthday. (Spoiler alert: I usually do not write these posts on the day I read the verse.)

Let me begin by saying that I didn't have any expectation of doing something major for my birthday or getting some extravagant gift. As a matter of fact, the only thing I usually want for my birthday is to spend time with my family. If anyone had asked me what I wanted that day, the answer would have been simple, but sad: the only gift I really would have liked would have been a chance to talk to Abe. On the other hand, I wasn't expecting that to happen, I would not have wanted the rest of the family to try to make that happen, and I never even said those words aloud to anyone. Other than that, I enjoyed going out with Angie, Rayne, and Carrie, having a simple dinner, and coming home to watch a movie on TV.

One thing about the day did make me go to bed a little disappointed. Angie made a point of being very vocal about it being my birthday and wishing me a happy birthday several times throughout the day, and I am pretty sure I overheard her remind Rayne and Carrie that they should wish me a happy birthday, as well. I have never claimed to understand how those kids' brains work, but the day ended without me ever hearing those words from them. When we have confronted them about similar things, they tend to use an excuse that "It's awkward," or something along those lines.

Laying in bed, I admit that I was a little upset. Overall, the day had been as good as I expected, but it bothered me that my own children couldn't give me that gift of words. Part of me wanted to be mad at them and show them how I felt in return. Those thoughts were still on my mind when I got out of bed the next morning...then I went for my morning walk in God's woods.

"We have all received grace after grace." God spoke to me about as clearly as I have ever heard. I have messed up too many times to count, whether it was intentional or unintentional, and EVERY SINGLE TIME, God has given me grace that I did not, and cannot, earn. I don't think the verse would have meant nearly as much to me if the Apostle John had not emphasized "grace after grace." Praise God that He didn't just forgive me once; He forgives me over and over and over again!

I could have spent the day after my birthday sulking and mad at Rayne and Carrie for not saying those words to me, and the truth is that the day would have probably been more miserable for me that it was for them. Instead, I shared God's grace with them, and we all moved forward in our lives.

For anyone who might be interested, I have not even spoken to Rayne and Carrie about it. I probably will bring it up one day when they know that I am not mad at them about it, and I hope they remember how it made me feel the next time something similar happens, especially with other people who are important in their lives. Will it happen again to me? Maybe, but if it does, I hope I can remember that we have all received grace after grace.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your never-ending grace. I pray that you help me remember how often you have forgiven me and that you help me to always extend that same forgiveness to others. In the merciful name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

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