God’s Grace

God is so good. He never gives up on me. Even on the days that I just keep messing up over and over again, He’s still there, ready for me to come to Him in prayer with a repentant heart. He hears me and cares. I can’t imagine what it would be like if this weren’t the case. I am so imperfect. I have so much I need to work on. I hate that I sometimes set bad examples for my younger siblings and nieces. I hate seeing them do what I did that wasn’t right. Sadly, I will continue to make mistakes. But I am so glad that I have a Savior. I’m so thankful that I can talk to Him any time. I’m so thankful for His faithfulness, even when I’m not faithful to Him.

We say that prayer is powerful. But in reality, it’s the God we pray to who’s powerful. I believe in prayer, and that God answers His children’s prayers, but our prayers alone aren’t what holds power. After I’ve had a day with many mistakes made in it, I feel discouraged. I feel like such a terrible person, or follower of Christ, really, and know I don’t deserve forgiveness. I get frustrated or irritated with others and don’t tend to handle it in the most gracious way, even though I know it’s wrong. Then I feel bad about it, and usually apologize to whoever I need to. But that alone doesn’t make me feel better. I know that I still need to talk to God about it. I don’t feel better until I do. So I pray, and ask for God’s forgiveness, and for help in the future, even if the “future” means the rest of that day. And He hears me. And He is so loving and powerful that He forgives me and is willing to help me. And I am so thankful for that. After I’ve been honest with Him, and remind myself of His love and grace and the truth of His Word, I feel a weight lifted from inside. I feel lighter and freer, with the knowledge of God’s redemption, and that He can cause everything to work out for good, even if I’ve done some pretty bad things. Today I didn’t handle frustration with as much patience and grace as I should’ve, but after I went to Him in solitude and prayer, I felt better. I can go about the rest of the day knowing everything is in God’s hands.

I don’t want to stay the person I am today. I want to change and become everything God intended me to be when He created me- or, rather, ever since He planned to create me, which has been always. I don’t want to be cold or hard-hearted toward Him. I want to let Him work on me, to continuously mold and shape me. I want to be tender-hearted and gracious and loving. There is so much that needs to be worked on in my heart. Sometimes it feels like I’ll never get to the point I want to be at. And truthfully, I’ll always be a work in progress while I’m on this earth. I’ll always need His forgiveness. That’s why He came to this earth. He knew I would always need His grace. And I can’t thank Him enough for His indescribable gift!

Go to the Lord in prayer if you feel led. Don’t wait. He is always there, waiting with open arms, ready to forgive all your sins and wash them all away. He is so so kind and generous and His love is incomprehensible. He wants to save you from sin, and continue to forgive you when you mess up. Surrendering to Him is the best choice you’ll ever make, and to maintain a relationship with Him means continually going to Him. I’ll never be perfect, but I want to be the best I can be for Him.

God is love.