While the English Protestant Reformer, John Bradford, was imprisoned in the Tower of London, he saw a criminal being executed for his crimes, he is to have said: “There for the grace of God goes John Bradford.”
“There but for grace go I” is a phrase I often say to myself when I catch myself criticizing the bad choices that people make. I realize how easily I could in a similar situation make a bad choice too.
I have made pretty bad choices. I used to feel guilty when I saw people who’ve made similar bad choices, having to pay the consequences, while I apparently got off lightly. Somehow, it didn’t seem fair. Then I realized that grace is something that is given freely to us all. If I was drowning and someone held out their hand to save me would I start saying : ‘I don’t deserve this.” ? No, I would just reach out and grab that hand. It’s the same with grace. It was an undeserved gift – but one that I needed to save me from myself. Why should I reject it?
In time I’ve come to realize to live in this grace is to live in security – knowing that all your needs are taken care of. To live in grace is to live in gratitude – knowing that everything you have is a gift. To live in grace is to be able to look back at all your past mistakes, and while owning your present faults, know that “all of your mistakes now serve a purpose instead of serving shame.”
Do you believe in grace?
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I loved this Corrine. It was beautiful. Like a morning meditation from a favorite devotional. Thank You so much for the reminder !
Thank you, Kay Lou. Your comment made my morning! ♥
🙂
“To live in grace is to live in gratitude – knowing that everything you have is a gift.”
This line says it all 🙂
It does, doesn’t it? 🙂
Of Course, I believe in grace. I always tell myself that all that I have is God’s grace, that’s where I acknowledge the grace first in my life. Every moment that we live on earth is the grace of God, and every moment of kindness we experience is someone’s grace on us. As you’ve rightly mentioned, when we make bad choices and are let off, and someone else pays for similar bad choices, it is grace working. Grace is so graceful, you know. She works silently, everytime 🙂
I knew you were a believer, Sreeja. Grace is truly beautiful once we realize it is at work within us!
You did it again, Corinne. Hit the nail on the head. Your description of grace while drowning, is dead on. You accept — don’t ask questions. It is a gift. This is a difficult concept for many to grasp because guilt get’s in the way. Good post – short and perfect.
Thanks, Carol. You know what, it wasn’t until I had made a right mess of my life did I realize what Grace was and how much I needed it.
Would love to hear that story someday — do you want to do a guest post about it?
“To live in grace is to live in gratitude” – that’s such a beautiful thought, Corinne! Love how you state a deep truth so simply. Thank you for this post 🙂
Indeed, there, but for grace, go I!
I am open to abundance. And I am ready to give.
Hugs!