Law and Grace

I am a rule follower. And I want everyone else to be one, too. I google map directions and trust they will get me to my destination; I read the instructions for almost everything I buy. I look up the same recipes I have made for years and follow the directions. My trust is that it will work right if I simply follow the directions. If you are like me, you are probably thinking right now, so what's wrong with that? People should follow directions and do things the right way. The problem is, I will mistake rules for law.

Law-the only way to do something. The right way. No other way can work. 

Stick to the rules. We live in a society that is much like this, and more often than not we are controlled by the rules of others. Of course, some rules protect us, while some rules protect those around us. They keep order.

But,

Sometimes, rules need to be broken.

Sometimes, a circumstance arrives that we don't expect. 

Sometimes, we need a little grace.

Grace-gettng what we don't deserve. Loving beyond the rules.

Grace is when we give up our rules and we extend something undeserved. Several years ago, our business was struggling and I had sent something back to a company. Weeks after I sent it back, they continued to bill me. I called every day to see if they received it. Finally, after a few months, I got a woman on the phone who listened to me. I told her when I sent it, that I didn't track it and now it was missing. The item was costly and we didn't have the money at that time to replace what was lost. Patiently, the woman on the other end said simply, "don't worry about it, I'll take care of it." At that moment, a huge burden was lifted and I hung up the phone with tears streaming down my face. This was a company who wanted their product back and I was a consumer claiming I had returned it. There was no tracking, no confirmation that it was sent and it was her word against mine. Whether or not she believed me didn't matter but she extended grace in my time of need. She broke the rules.  

I could tell countless items when a friend extended grace to me, but I, myself, struggle when my expectations are let down. But with grace, we assume the best in others and we live a life more selflessly than before. We overlook the situation and love on those around us. When we love others, grace is easy. 

Grace. Something undeserved. Something we all need from time to time. 

                                  “Do everything in love.”  1 Corinthians 16:14 NIV

Bring it on 2016

2015 wasn't my best year and I recently said to my husband, "it can only get better from here." Although I want to believe this, sometimes it is hard to move on from loss, disappointments and other struggles we encounter. As a teacher, I look forward to a break and when Christmas time comes around I get excited about unwinding a bit from the chaos I encounter on a daily basis. I want to sleep in a little, take the dog for a walk, spend a little more time with God each day, catch up on some reading and spend time with the family. This year, I did get to do some of these things but the stress of the year caught up to me as soon as break started and I was down for the first week and a half. With a headache that wouldn't quit and a bad attitude, life Had snuck up on me. With the adrenaline of working long days, I hadn't noticed I was falling apart.

Life this year has to be different for me. I lost focus on what was most important and let the world get the best of me. Little things started to bother me and the people I love got the worst of me. The pressures of circumstances I encountered built up and made me sick and I didn't even notice. For someone who loves health and fitness, this seemed out of place. I eat well and workout regularly but I wasn't taking care of my heart and mind the way I needed to. 

Even if you aren't a teacher, you may be going back to work tomorrow after a long weekend or a few extra days off. This year, focus on taking care of yourself in whatever way you need to. For some of us, it is a renewal of heart and mind. Maybe you've let negative thoughts take over and need to be reminded of God's grace and mercy. Let Him renew your mind and bring clarity. Others may want to focus on on something external. Our bodies are important and setting goals to lose weight or get more rest may be necessary. Maybe you have a physical illness that needs some attention. Get to the doctor or take it easy for a few days. Whatever it is you are looking forward to this year, know that you are capable of tackling any challenge ahead of you. 

Most of us know that resolutions don't stick. The gym will be packed for the next few weeks and then back to normal before February. Some will vow not to drink something or eat something or do something they have been trying to do for years to only fall flat sometime mid-March. But the reality is, none of that matters. Instead, try focusing on one day at a time. Wake up and decide to be your best every day and if you fall, get up again and start over. 

This verse comes from a song we used to sing in my high school youth group and I loved it. Today, the simplicity of it is reminder that God is the only one who can make me pure and renewed. 

        “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." Psalm 51:10 NIV