Grace is a practical conscious action

I'm thankful to God for experiences that have taught me to be more gracious to people.

For example, I have friend with learning difficulties who seems to like me a lot. A lot! Sometimes, this is to the point at which it gets irritating, as she tends to invade my personal space (since when was one's 'personal space' theirs anyway? Surely when you move out of a 'space' it no longer belongs to you. But you know what I mean) when sitting near me and she calls my name over and over. Now this clear display of affection is somewhat alien to me, so I've found it quite difficult to deal with.

But one day, it struck me that this girl is someone that I can extend grace to. Because I am like her. With my mum at times I can be super clingy, quite like my friend when the fact is that I am needy and the human contact is exactly what I need. And my mum is so gracious to me! Even though I must be so annoying.

I love it when these real-life examples pop up, and I learn how to extend love to those who are weaker than I am.

It is imperative that I...

Psalm 118:1-4

¹ Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

² Let Israel say:
"His love endures forever."

³ Let the house of Aaron say:
"His love endures forever."

⁴ Let those who fear the LORD say:
"His love endures forever."

My life. It's topsy-turvy, and unpredictable. It's really inward-looking, really selfish, violently painful at times. It's also got its times of laughter and fun, of comfort and rest. It's pretty busy and full on.

This morning I read Psalm 118. The refrain, "His love endures forever" was repeating through the passage. Give thanks to the Lord, his love endures forever.

It is imperative that I, as a child of God, remember this. His love endures forever. Wow.

Whether I'm in the happy part, or the frustrating part or the part where I'm struggling with sin. Or the part where I'm condemning myself. Or...just the average part.

His love endures forever.

Love!

I just want to remind myself here that Jesus loves me. Jesus loves ME!

I've been studying Psalm 90 in preparation for a bible study on time management (which, being the faithful young lady I am, I left to the last minute...) and again I've been remembering just how much God loves me.

From Psalm 90 our prayer to God should be "satisfy us with your love" - Psalm 90:14

Oh my, there's nothing in life that satisfies like God's love! And, I'd like to say I've tried worshipping all the modern day idols, looking for fulfilment in them...

I'm not there yet, God's love is not my number one satisfaction. But every so often I get a little glimpse of what heaven will be like - through the clouds, the light of God's love shines, and it dawns on me in a flash that...wow...God LOVES me, He paid an amazing price for me! I taste a little of that beauty, that joy. It's nice to know love, even for that short time before my mind falls again into the futility of my days.