Grace and Donuts

Today I am teaching my kids one of the most important lessons in life: grace.  

The kids were just all over the place in Walmart, not a place I go to often, but it is an occasional necessity. My patience was being tried. There is a Dunkin' Donuts at the entrance and my boys are fond of the strawberry frosted with sprinkles. I stopped. I really don't want to buy donuts. My body doesn't need it, and the kids' behavior was less than stellar.  

When I pulled my youngest aside, I asked him, "Does your behavior deserve a donut?" 

"No." and his eyes just began to fill with tears. 

"Look in my eyes," I instructed. "You are right. You don't deserve a donut, but I am going to give you a donut. I am going to give you something good that you don't deserve,  because I love you.This is what grace is." I could see the relief as his body relaxed. 

I further explained to my eldest that mercy is not getting something bad that you really deserve.  

Grace and mercy go hand in hand. You really can't have one without the other. God's love is so much deeper,  so much more penetrating than a fattening treat. Kind David's psalms are full of examples of calls for both grace and mercy. Both are fulfilled through Jesus, if only we are willing to accept that outpouring through His love. 

“Do you know of any parent who would give his hungry child, who asked for food, a plate of rocks instead?  Or when asked for a piece of fish, what parent would offer his child a snake instead?  If you, imperfect as you are, know how to lovingly take care of your children and give them what’s best, how much more ready is your heavenly Father to give wonderful gifts to those who ask him?”

~ Matthew 7:9-11 ~

God loves us so deeply, and intimately, are we willing to accept it, and to share it? Do we keep it for ourselves? Do we prevent others from seeing Him because of our own selfishness and harsh words? Are we showing others the grace and mercy to others as the hands, feet, eyes, ears, and mouth of God? Are our actions actually driving people away from the love of God, rather than gathering them in? 

I cannot answer these questions for you. I know that as a fallen human I am prone to falling short. 

But he answered me, “My grace is always more than enough for you, and my power finds its full expression through your weakness.” So I will celebrate my weaknesses, for when I’m weak I sense more deeply the mighty power of Christ living in me.

~ 2 Corinthians 12:9 ~

For it was only through this wonderful grace that we believed in him. Nothing we did could ever earn this salvation, for it was the gracious gift from God that brought us to Christ!

~ Ephesians 2:8 ~

I only hope this tangible example of grace helps my sons understand how much more that God loves and cares for them. 

Continually stirred, 

Ruth