Grace.
5 letters, 1 simple word. A word that I'm still learning its meaning.
Everyday on the race something happens, good, bad, easy, hard that does a little more to unpack the weight of this word and the way God wants Grace to be lived out.
Grace comes in many ways and forms, these are the ways Grace has slipped into my race. When you're stuck, angry, confused, lonely, tired, sad, have given up, remember to respond with Grace for yourself and for others because God has given you Grace.
In the below situations I am learning to respond in Grace.
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Grace is your tent neighbor's alarm going off nonstop to Mandisa's "Good Morning" at 6am on a Monday when your alarm is set for 7:30am.
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Grace is at 11pm while attempting to sleep listening to giant ants crawling under your tent that sounds like waterfalls, hoping they won't end up crawling into your tent.
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Grace is you withholding the fact you have lice from your teammates and they all get lice.
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Grace is a van full of 20somethings laughing and joking about the discrepancy of your age and your looks.
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Grace is your sweaty palms and labored breath and staring at a half filled wagon barrel. Your shovel in hand but your strength dwindling.
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Grace is needing a whole day to yourself by only getting 5 quiet minutes in the bathroom.
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Grace is a gentle response to a harsh word.
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Grace is finally getting internet connection after a whole month and getting disconnected from skype with your family every 30 seconds.
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Grace is your conviction to love your teammates more than yourself even when you have nothing in common.
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Grace is when you realize the one thing you do have in common, is more powerful than a thousand common grounds.
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Grace is realize: " If all we have in common is Jesus, isn't that enough?"
- Grace is asking God "What am I doing here?" at Month 5 and not hearing His answers back, but knowing the answer is coming.
What does it mean to live everyday grace filled?
I am learning that it means forgiving quickly, loving genuinely, sharing readily, confessing daily, treating regularly, apologizing humbly, praying hourly, accepting easily, giving unselfishly and continuously, and living communally.
Please join me in praying that that as I start Month 6 (Malaysia) of my race, God will continue to give me daily portions of grace, enough for myself and overflowing to others.
