As I pondered parenting the other day, I thought, “Parenting is walking out grace, grace, grace and patience.” I began to recount all the seasons of parenting I’ve been through, thus far and the prevailing theme has been this, I don’t regret the grace I’ve given my kids, what I do regret is a few times when I should’ve given grace and didn’t. I know I will continue to grow in parenting, and for that I am eternally grateful. Seeing things from where we stand now, clears up so much of my perspective.
Then I thought of other people in my life and God pricked my heart and said, “You need to be offering others the same grace and patience that you give your family.” Wow, what a convicting thought. It makes me think of this verse.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death- even death on a cross. Philippians 2:3-8
It doesn’t get more convicting than that. Honestly, as I navigate living in a new town, meeting new people and building relationships, I must keep this scripture before me at all times. Those verses aren’t simply a suggestion, they are clear direction. It’s a good thing that while walking that out, I get to receive grace, grace, grace and patience too.
Prayer Moment: I encourage you today to look for opportunities to extend grace to others, both in your family and in your life. We aren’t only called to minister to our families, we are called to the world. Ask God to open your eyes to times when you get frustrated with others, and ask Him to help you walk in grace instead. Taking responsibility and being honest about how we’ve behaved in the past, can release us to move in a different direction from now on. Will you take the time to reflect today? I promise it will be fruitful.
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained. Philippians 2:13-16
365 Days in the Presence 