Defiantly, Unashamedly, Generously — Extend Grace Generously - Monday
TODAY’S VERSE
John 1:16
For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. (ESV)
Assignment number one of my Marriage and Family class was to create a detailed genogram mapping out the history of my family line and highlighting the relational trends that marked my lineage. I did what I always did when I was given a hard project: I asked my parents for help. I remember sitting down with my mom as we laid out our large family tree and started diving into the intricacies of the story that led eventually to me.
To be sure, there were many good memories and laughs shared as I learned more about grandparents, aunts, uncles, and third cousins twice-removed. But there were also long sighs, tears, and times when it was best to redact certain information to protect the people we loved so dearly. My family — and I’m guessing yours as well — is a large melting pot of imperfect people who carry a lot of hurt.
It’s a wonder how any of us are where we are today. Only by God’s grace!
I think most believers could share a story like Aaron did yesterday. A story of God giving us grace upon grace throughout our life so that, somehow, we can step into a full life with Him. The older I get, the more I realize that everything good in my life is a gift from God. My wife (Hannah), my kids, my family and friends, our incredible church, the house I get to live in, the job I love, the laughter, the fun, the joy, and the list could go on! All of it is because of God’s grace.
God’s grace also redeemed a lot of brokenness to bring me into this world. He brought both of my parents’ families from the Northeast to the state of Kentucky two decades apart. Then He led both of my parents to work at Montgomery Ward in Turfland Mall so they could meet and fall in love. Over time, God strengthened their marriage, helping them build a loving, supportive home for my sister and me. God provided a church that our family could meet Jesus in. God called my grandfather into ministry in his 50s, and he served as a patriarch in our faith and family — baptizing my dad, mom, sister, and me within a two-year span.
When you look for it, you see His gifts everywhere. God’s grace upon grace.
APPLICATION
Reflect on your own family tree. It can be easy to focus on the brokenness, but try to look for the ways God was moving or redeemed parts of the story. Thank God for the graciousness He has shown to you over the years in bringing you into relationship with Him.
PRAYER
Thank God for the grace upon grace you have received from Him. Share gratitude for as many things as you can think of that He has given you.