Grace. The dreaded word! My type A personality sometimes cringes when I hear the word! I always think to myself, “I’ll offer myself grace once I have achieved perfection. I am trying to live an excellent life after all. When do I have time to offer myself grace?”
But that is exactly the word that God gave me at the beginning of this journey. Let me explain:
At our “Launch Weekend” in January, each racer was given a keychain necklace with a word written on it. The staff told us to pray over the word given to us and then to pray about giving it away to someone during the race. I honestly didn’t think I would give my necklace away so quickly. After all, I’m still struggling to figure out what the word grace means for me in this season.
So last week my team and I were having dinner at our host family’s home. The pastor’s wife, Ms. Daizy, was telling us about a young woman and her son that she has been ministering to these past few months. Apparently, this young woman had recently become a Christian and was struggling to forgive herself from past mistakes. Ms. Daizy then asked us if we would be interested in visiting her and sharing our testimonies.
Immediately, I felt this intense desire to meet this family and I heard the word, “Go!” I wasn’t sure what God was going to do, but all I knew was that I needed to be a part of this moment. I needed to share something with this woman.
As I was praying about what to share, I remembered the keychain necklace that was given to me. Then I heard God tell me, “Give it away!” So the day we left to meet this family, I placed the keychain around my neck and believed that God would give me the right words to share with this young woman.
When my team and I arrived, we were greeted by sweet smiles. The little boy saw six girls standing near his front door and exclaimed, “Why are there so many girls here?” We all laughed. I’m sure we were a sight to behold!
We then introduced ourselves to her and we began our time of fellowship with a few worship songs. Ms. Daizy began singing, “Amazing Grace” and I couldn’t hold back the tears! I was suddenly overwhelmed by God’s grace! Oh, where would I be without His sweet forgiveness, His patient heart, His guiding hand? All I knew is that I wanted this family to know this same type of grace that has been extended to me time after time.
After the worship songs, Ms. Daizy looked at me and asked me to share a part of my testimony. Trying not to cry, I explained how excited I was to meet her and to hear about her journey with Christ. I handed her the keychain necklace and said, “This is a reminder for you that God’s grace is with you every day. I know I wouldn’t be here without it.” By this time we were both crying! (Thankfully, my teammate Fei had tissues for us both!) 🙂
My other teammates were also able to share their journeys of grace and how God had performed miracles in their life. And at the end of our Bible study we were all laughing together. We could tangibly see how sharing our stories touched her life. And vice versa.
With all of this said, I want to encourage you – my family, my friends, my supporters. What areas of your life is God trying to show you grace? The Lord is showing me, we don’t have to be perfect. Actually, we will never be perfect. We are called to simply walk in this grace every day of our lives and to share that with those around us.
Perhaps you don’t have a keychain necklace like me, but maybe God has given you a “word” for this year. What is that? Have your stepped out in obedience? Have you accepted this challenge He has given you?
You just never know when you might be able to share an encouraging word with another individual…
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10
With a thankful heart, full of grace. Much love!
Melissa
Here’s a few pics of our time together. 🙂
