That sinking feeling

May you be warmed by the morning sunlight,

after a starless night.

May you glimpse in a shimmering rainbow,

a promise that storms will cease,

and know that God is always beside you,

assuring you inner peace.

Dorothy J. Hampton 1996

This poem was written in 1996 by my "Great-mother." One of the kids in the family had a difficult time saying 'great grandmother'  and Great-mother was what came out. That became her name from all of the grand-kids. Great mother was an extraordinary woman with a full understanding of God and His common grace that we experience every day. Everything mentioned in that poem is a beautiful expression of little things that we are blessed with each day. 

When I think of grace, I usually only think of the bible verse I've heard over and over, "...for it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not of yourselves lest anyone should boast, but it is a gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8) That verse is true, our salvation comes only as a gift of the Lord who perished on the cross for our sake, but grace is so much more than that.

 Have you ever stopped to think that everything we see in this life is by the grace of God?

The morning sunlight is something to behold. Have you ever been awake to see it, either by accident or intentionally? Next time you have that opportunity, take it! Let God show you His grace and glory every morning! It's there, I promise! Take a minute to appreciate the little things that we are given. 

When was the last time you looked a rainbow and just stopped everything you are doing to just breath and allow yourself to be immersed in that moment of grace? A rainbow seems so rare, why not appreciate the glory of God that is right in front of you? Each moment you have is a gift of grace. I forget this sometimes when I feel that God is nowhere to be found, and I'm faced with the black sky of the worst storm I've ever seen. Even that storm is a gift of grace because it gives us a moment to step back and really experience the Lord and His plan. What a blessing that is!

When the rain begins to fall and there is lightning all around, you don't have to be happy about it, or even enjoy it, but be thankful that God is allowing you to fall into Him. God is faithful and never leaves you. He is still in control and if you allow Him, He will direct you out of the storm. That is Grace! There is nothing commanding Him to help you, or move you forward, but He does because of his love for you! We are not worthy of this grace, but He gives it freely because of who He is!  There are reminders every day of God's presence and His never-changing grace.

David Crowder summed it up perfectly in the song, How He Loves, when He used the lyric,
"If His grace, is an ocean, we're all sinking!" So that "sinking feeling" can be a good thing! 

Let yourself sink in the ocean of grace-be fully immersed in the Lord's mighty power and love!
Allow yourself to experience the incredible mercy and grace of God, and extend it to others as well :)

"For from his fullness, we have all received grace upon grace." John 1:16