Dear Ones,
Hope you had a great weekend. We enjoyed our company so much on Saturday and they came bearing gifts of fresh banana bread and a prayer plant whose leaves close at night and open in the morning. Love watching that. Today I am going to Aldi’s and then to my exercise class for the first time in over 2 months. Can hardly wait!!
Devotions from Judy’s heart
How do we view God’s grace? Do we really believe it is the “unmerited favor of God”, something we don’t deserve and yet it is freely given to us? We might say this but do we practice it? Or do we try to earn it by doing the right things, being self-reliant rather than depending on the Lord.

Children who grew up unwanted by parents have a hard time bonding, and feel insecure and lacking in grace. They have a hard time trusting and often live according to their own rules. How different when a child is loved and tucked in to bed at night with prayers, hugs and words of love. Their outlook on grace is as different as day and night. But all of us have partially distorted views and must give up trying to earn grace, which can only be received as a gift. Paul certainly tried to live by all the rules, but he concluded in Romans 6:20, “No one will be declared righteous in His sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.” The more we try to keep all the rules, the more we get overwhelmed and fail to see the need for God’s grace.

Some view love as conditional and try harder only to fail. When we correct our children it is important to show grace. Yes, discipline them for what they have done but not saying, “You are a bad boy or girl!” Instead, tell them you love them too much to let them get by with doing… One of my friends was told by his mom that she wished she never had him, and he always remembered that he was a bad boy! But aren’t we glad the Lord treats us with unconditional love? None of us will live life perfectly. All the more reason we need His grace. Paul says in Rom 5:20, “Though sin is shown to be wide and deep, thank God His grace is wider and deeper still.” Jesus did it all! Our relationship with Him is all built on grace, and He offers salvation to every one of us, although none of us are worthy or deserving. Let us serve Him out of thankfulness.

Challenge for today: Every time you fail, and you will just as I will, receive His grace and give thanks to the Lord.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy