Grace For Today...

Matthew 25:29 To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. 

Psalm 31:2 Turn your ear to listen to me; rescue me quickly. Be my rock of protection, a fortress where I will be safe.

Proverbs 8:22 "The Lord formed me (wisdom) from the beginning, before he created anything else." - Italics added for clarity

It's been one of those weeks. Ya know, when, you feel completely overwhelmed? Yesterday's post by Ann Voskamp was like chocolate for the soul. Most of her posts resonate so clearly within me. I am thankful for her insight. If you ever get a chance, stop by her blog at www.aholyexperience.com, and read along. Jesus Wisdom spills forth in every post.

Yesterday's encouragement were thoughts on "How to get through what's burying you." And the answer was simple. Grace. God's grace heaped upon grace is the only thing that sustains our mounting heaps of whatever may weigh us down. 

For me, this week, was planning what turned out to be an uneventful trip to Birmingham, for Stephanie. Add to that the laundry list of chores (including laundry, ironically), and "Oh, you forgot to blog", and don't forget that there are three other doctor's appointments  this week, and "we really need more milk?", and the list goes on and on.

But, something she said really resonated within me. She was using  this amazing snow artist for an example, (Simon Beck - if you haven't seen his work, check it out, it's AMAZING) and how he doesn't care that all of his effort will be blown away by the next gust of wind. That he understands that all of his effort is just for the moment. But why bother if it could be gone the next day?

And then, profound words…

Because there will more grace given tomorrow.  

For more. Always more coming.   

There will be more meals to cook tomorrow. More dishes, more laundry. You’re going to have pick up coats and boots and papers and books all over again tomorrow. You can still make art with everyday fallen grace. You can still create art knowing it’ll be gone the very next day.   

Because there will more grace given tomorrow. To make more. Always more grace coming.  

Grace upon grace. 

When these words hit my heart, it was like God shined a spotlight on my heart. And I see:

• I have a tendency to idolize my daily routine, calling it something that should be respected. Which is really prideful.

• I allow the "laundry list" overwhelm my thoughts, instead of placing it under the rule of my spirit, which is filled everyday with new grace for today, and everything I need to "exist" today on this earth.

• I don't say thank you for the seemingly little things, and allow Father's joy and peace to flood my day. Which is why I'm learning to count gifts..

Believe it or not, confessing our faults can be liberating. God knows that, which is why he said to do it.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Who knew releasing today (and each day) into the hands of a loving Father would be so hard? But, that's where I am. Wow.

The truth is, there are only 24 hours in a day. And how I spend that 24 hours can be viewed in 2 ways:

•  I can turn the hourglass upside down, counting the hours until the day is complete, whizzing by all of the beauty woven into it.

OR

• I can see the hourglass as it is. As Father has designed it to be. 24 hours of grace. Grace for today, and anything that comes with today, there's grace.

So, who cares if there will be another day of craziness tomorrow. Today, I will choose to wear "grace upon grace". Today's grace is all that matters, and it's more than enough for me.