A Picture of Grace

In Jordan Ann's first grade Sunday school class, they recently talked about grace. She came home with a perfect definition: "grace is getting something you don't deserve." We talked about it several times afterwards and I was amazed at how easily she was grasping this concept, which for many of us, is so hard!

A few days later, behavior around here was less than desirable, to say the least. I had pretty much had enough. Clips had been moved, toys confiscated, etc. My last straw is telling them that they would be going to bed with no story. Jack doesn't like that, but JA really doesn't like missing her story at bedtime. So, for the rest of the afternoon, their behavior was so much more pleasant. It was if two different children moved into my house! I was loving it!

When bedtime came around, I wanted to positively reinforce how they had been acting. So I read them a story. They sat quietly and listened, almost scared to remind me that I was reading them a story when I had earlier told them they wouldn't be getting one. As I was putting Jack to bed, JA went to my desk and started working on something. She proudly presented me with a drawing. She went on to tell me that it was a picture of "grace". Confused, I asked her to explain. She told me that she and Jack didn't deserve that story and that since I read one anyway, I was showing grace. I was again, amazed at her grasp of this concept.

Today, I have been reminded yet again. I haven't been worthy of very much grace. It's been a hard day. Yet, through it all, His grace showers down on me and my children. I have had one of those "crying mommy meltdowns" and my dear children continue to love me anyway. It's been their turn to show me the grace.

-------------------------------

2 Corinthians 12:9

"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."