Grace for Us All

I know, I know, it's Thursday. And as of 11am, I still have nothing posted. Well, here's the thing, I've been a little busy lately. If you know, you know. And I honestly thought I had a post scheduled for today. At 6:30 this morning, as I wrapped up some time with Jesus, I decided to make the most of the few seconds I had to squeeze in a few "housekeeping" details for the day. Time to check off some boxes and feel good about myself! I quickly looked at my scheduled posts list and assured myself I was good. Obviously, I was not. And as I sit here, writing, I realize what a great lesson that is for today. 

You see, today was something of a trial run for what will, hopefully, be our new normal. I had to be someplace by 8am, Scott had his usual work schedule, and there were other people and details to consider. In some ways, I had to let go of things I would normally choose to have done prior to leaving the house. Like dishes. For years, I couldn't leave the house with so much as a spoon lying in the sink or anything drying in the drainboard. I still can't tolerate a sink full of dirty dishes, but a few items here or there... I've learned to overlook minor details when other things are more pressing. And my quiet time with Jesus. I just can not seem to go without that; but this morning I only had a few moments to pray. I'll spend more time in Scripture when I get back, I reasoned. It was far more important to others (and, I believe, to the glory of God) that I remain calm and unrushed today.

And that's where the lesson seemed to sit with me. When I'd checked to be sure my Thursday article would post at 7am, I thought I had my ducks in a row. A quick glance in which I attempted to cross all my ts and dot all my is led me to believe I had things covered. Now, while there's nothing wrong with being diligent, verifying things are complete and in order, when I sought to feel good about myself because of myself, all I received was false assurance. But as I moved upstairs to interact with others, others who need me to be gracious and kind, temperate and unshakeable, others who will quickly and negatively react to a frazzled, over-achieving taskmaster, I knew it was in everyone's best interest that I apply the grace given to me --for myself and for others. 

When Jesus calls us, whether it is to initial repentance and a resurrectionary life or, it is to something more specific once we have chosen to seek and serve Him with all our hearts, we should give it our all. But it is not within our humanity to give it perfection. Even on our best days, our understanding is limited, our knowledge is finite. We can give it all we've got, but it is the grace of our Savior that makes it all it is. When we place too much emphasis on using up every second to achieve perfection or superiority, we miss the beauty in what Jesus can do. When we stress over dishes in the sink or children wiping greasy fingers on windows or spouses taking "too long" in the bathroom or articles posting exactly on time every time, we provide ourselves with the false assurance that having control over others or circumstances is what we are called to do. What if we were called to fail but be holy, to hurt but love, to ignore the offense but be at peace, to know time is fleeting but enjoy the moment, to leave the spoon (or spoons) in the sink but be Christ to those around us? Maybe we are.