February 22, 2016

Grace

My word for 2016 is Grace!

I chose this word because I started this blog, Saved By Grace! When I named the blog, I prayed for God to reveal what His desire in the name would be, and it happened almost immediately. I realized then that He knew I needed to learn more about His grace. Ephesians 2:8 says; For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - This has always been one of my favorite Bible verses, and it was the first one I memorized. Memorized, but really had no idea what it meant! 

I have been a christian for about 11 years now, and until last spring I had no clue what accepting God's grace meant, let alone how to give or extend grace to others.  

I carried so much guilt from my past, and I knew without a doubt that I had been forgiven, but it was hard to accept His grace. To think that He so willingly and lovingly handed His grace to me. I also knew that by accepting His grace, I would have to extend grace to others. I wasn't sure I could do that. I harbored so many hurts and resentments deep in my heart, and I didn't know how to fully let go of these things. I wore a mask well. Most people knew nothing about the feelings buried deep down that only I was allowed to feel. 


Last Spring I was doing a Bible study with some amazing women that I have met through social media. I heard and read stories of their past. How they received God's grace, and how they have been forgiven. They have been able to move on, to help others, to be an inspiration, to tell their stories, and to give all the glory to God! It was then that I realized that I had been harboring these feelings and resentments. It was then that I prayed, I asked for God's forgiveness, AGAIN!  I asked Him to show me how to truly accept His grace that He so willingly offers, and to be able to truly extend grace to others, all the people who have hurt me, or those whom I have been holding grudges against. 

Wikipedia defines grace as:

"The love and mercy given to us by God because God desires us to have it, not because of anything we have done to earn it."

I still have my days where I struggle with both receiving and giving grace, but I have come a long way over the past year, and I take great comfort in knowing that God ALWAYS gives grace, and His grace will ALWAYS be with me. 

Linking up with Barbie at Weekend Whispers



10 comments:

  1. My dear sweet sister I love this. Praise God for his mercy and grace. Love you lots and way to go on your blog! It's beautiful.

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    1. Thank You for your kind words, my sweet friend! I love you! <3

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  2. Dear Rachel, Grace Grace God's Grace. It is His to Give, then why do we not want to accept such an amazing gift. Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. Your blog is beautiful. Blessings my friend and sister in the Lord. Diana

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    1. Thank You my beautiful friend! You have been such an inspiration to me. You have been a mentor, and so encouraging! Thank you for all you do! <3

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  3. love, and sweet blessings to you dear.

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    1. Love and blessings back to you my sweet friend! <3

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  4. Love Love Love this. You are such a blessing to me. Love reading your post

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    1. Thank you my beautiful friend! You have been quite an inspiration to me as well! ❤

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  5. I'm so glad you are sharing your journey with others through blogging, and so thankful I got to be small part of your beginning!

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    1. Small part? Without you and your amazing skill and knowledge, this would not be possible for me. Thank you! ❤

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