Dear God, Grant Me Grace

My Pastor is somewhat known, I believe, as a "grace preacher". I'm not a beginner when it comes to hearing what grace truly means and how much we truly need it in our lives.

But when my cousin preached it a couple weekends ago, something stuck with me this time. Maybe because God knew that it was what I needed to hear at that moment.

It's not easy to have give into something that goes against what you feel is      
       right. 
It's not easy to be constantly taken the wrong way.
It's not easy to swallow one's pride, lower one's head and take criticism for 
       something you believe in.
It's not easy missing someone so much it feels as if you start crying/screaming,
       that you will never stop. Ever.
It's not east to believe you had yourself somewhat figured out, and somewhat
       proud of who you have become, only to realize that, with a few careless 
       words, you're no longer that person. Maybe you never really were.
It's not easy knowing where you'd like to be is far from where you are.

We always hear it said, "No one promised that this would be an easy life." This is true beyond belief. But it is also true that where there is a soul in need, there is grace to see one through. Grace just isn't something one sings about on Sunday. It isn't a pretty word just to lift one's spirits. Its a necessity. Without God's grace, I am no one. I can do nothing. If I didn't have God's grace, I'd literally be curled into a ball, screaming silently. No, probably not silently. I've done that. No, it wouldn't be a pretty scene. If I didn't know how to "access His grace" as my pastor says, I'd have done something quite insane by now.

Grace is God's divine influence and it's reflection in my life. Grace is God living through me. Grace is what enables me to wake each day and keep going. 

One of my favorite scriptures has always been Hebrews 4.16

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in the time of need.

 

As I've said before, there are times when I don't even have the strength to be any kind of bold. :) I can only crawl into the arms of God and whisper for Him to hold me and let grace cover me. 

The amazing thing is...He never turns me away. No many how many times I've done this, He accepts me every time. Never a stern, "Be a Big Girl and handle this one yourself." Nope. 

This is one reason I could never think to turn away from Him. Why would I? HOW could I? How in the world would one survive without the Grace of God?