Day 16 The Redemption of Grace

Grace was name that I had to ask God healing from. For so many years, I prayed for redemption from that word.

I read one story about grace. Tammy helps unwed mothers and takes good care of them in a home where they are fed and loved. She met Sara, one of the residents, who has been selling her body to feed her heroin habit, Tammy was forced to choose between offering some sort of practical assistance, and kicking Sara out of the program. Tammy made a deal with Sara that she would personally pay for Sara’s heroin habit, if Sara would refrain from prostituting herself. Tammy reasoned that if she could remove the guilt and shame associated with prostitution, Sara might have a chance of reestablishing her value, thereby gaining the strength to overcome her habit.

While walking this morning, I was so moved. My heart began crying out of love that I felt from Jesus. Their story might be too much compared to my experience but this grace is one of the moving stories on how God can give grace to us. God accepted me even before I came to Him. He loved me despite my sins. When I entered the church, He used me in His ministry despite my stubbornness. Like Sara, I had my withdrawals, I would cry myself to sleep. But God - He gave me home and identity. My transformation wasn't overnight or over the weekend. It took many years of finding His love has always been there every single time. It was grace.

Currently listening to: Only Grace by Matthew West 

The Grace to the Humble

I used to walk alone going to and back from office. It takes about 40-50 minutes depending on my strength. One particular afternoon, an officemate walked with me. Just few steps away from office, she saw 5 dirhams on the road and quickly held it. There wasn't any other people in the area and so she took it. I thought, if I was alone, I could have gotten it. I shoo my thoughts away and smiled at it. Very inappropriate thoughts. Haha!

This morning, upon finishing a teaching about humility and grace, I started to pray on my way to office asking God for forgiveness for everything I've done wrong. As I bow down my head (yes, while walking, looking at the road floors) I saw 100 dirhams! I held it and checked the roads, there was a group of people walking towards the other area. I waited for some time (and looked for signs that someone is trying to find something. None. Walking towards office, I also try to check my back for any signs til I reached office. It was for me! :)

James (in 4) reminded us about Proverbs 3:34, that God gives grace to the humble. I am not saying that the 100 dirhams was because of the humility I showed bowing down. It was just an extra experience for me as I take the step on surrendering God everything this morning.

From the podcast I heard it says "I'm sure there's anger, I'm sure there's bitterness", but when we submit out lives to God; telling Him all that we are and the things we just can't be at that moment, telling Him how much we can only endure, and our tendencies to take matters into our hands, get angry, embittered; that we are not okay." He will be our Savior and deliver us. He is very gracious to the humble. Accepting before Him that we are not okay and acknowledging He is there to help us is a sign of humility.