God's amazing, unexpected Grace

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“Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength.” Isaiah 30:15 NLT

Recent disappointments, ongoing frustrations with my own “besetting sins,” and distress over life in general, had overwhelmed me. Telling myself to simmer down and trust the Lord wasn’t helping and I was on the verge of a major meltdown.

God could have rebuked me for my little tantrum. He could have told me to “just stop it” because my pain was nothing compared to real suffering. Instead, he stilled the storm in my mind and sent a wave of calm and love washing over me. A soft swell of joy and gratitude replaced my turmoil. My eyes seemed to open with a new appreciation for the small blessings around me: birdsong, fresh, cool breezes, a child’s laughter, sunshine and clear skies, color and beauty that now seemed more intense and lovely.

'Daddy' God gently urged me to give him EVERYTHING, to trust him with it all, even the weak, sinful parts of me that cause me so much grief. He reminded me to let him work things out, to allow him to redeem the disappointments, restore the losses, to change my heart. I was awestruck.

God’s grace is truly amazing and he wants us to receive it and rest in it. That grace, like a gentle breeze, cools our fear and bitterness and opens our hearts to His presence, love, and provision. It doesn’t depend upon our hard work, our worthiness, or our striving for hours in prayer. It’s unexpected, undeserved, and awesome. It’s like a mother holding her fretting child in her arms and soothing away his distress until he rests quietly in her unconditional love.

And all we can do is say a breathless, “Thank you, Father. You are wonderful.”

So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” Rom 8:15 NLT

by Cheryl Weber
Pennsylvania, USA - ​info@gracelines.co.uk