Grace

Grace is one of those things that I keep coming back to, am very thankful for and yet don't get it at all at times. 


A couple of days ago I read a blog post. it's one of those blogs all about giving people second chances and such. Really cool blog usually. 


But this time I noticed something. The story was about a hurtful comment that was made about a member of the family in a public restaurant.  


Except.....


It said something along the lines of 'What the heck? This lady whose kids were not even interacting with her and her husband was thinking she could make a comment about my family???'


I understand that the comment was mean. I also understand that you're defending your family and all. But to post something like that on a blog that is all about grace and giving people a break, I was taken a back. What about that lady? What about her family? What about giving her a second chance?


The saying 'hurt people hurt people' came true in this situation. Your family has been hurt and there you go lashing out at others. 


Been there, done that, got the t shirt. NOT proud of it.

My life needs to be about Jesus and people and not about me

That was one of those reminders I needed again. What I do is about people and not about furthering my career. (yes, there are politics, careers and the strive for more in ministry. It's a truth I don't really like, but have to deal with)


For me it always gets back to finding my identity in Jesus, rather in what I do or who people perceive I am. 
Meetings don't make me more important. Meetings (oftentimes) just take me away from hanging out with people who need to hear about Jesus or people I could help to grow deeper in Jesus. 


With some of the people I hang out with I am very much aware that it's not so much about what I say, but rather what I do. Do I hang out? Do I care? Do I flip out at them? 


When I truly find my identity in Christ, I know who I am, I know why I am there and I can truly do what I feel God has called me to do. I don't have to worry about the next step, the next opportunity to move forward, the next time someone acknowledges what I'm doing... I can just do it. the Nike way. The Jesus way. He knew who He was and why He was there. He was not worried. I want to be like that. 


Every year God and me sit down and figure out things. Talk about learning curves, setting challenges, and figuring out the way. At least I like to think so. Last year I learned all about self control, patience (help me!), joy and much more. Each day a reminder on my phone helped me to focus on one area I had to work on. It was fun. Sort of. There were 13 different topics. 


This year there are just 2. Finding my identity in Christ and Fear of the Lord. I fear that this might not be the last time I have to learn about these.


You and me God. Together. Let's do this.

My year in pictures

Have a look at all the things 

that made me happy in 2011. 

So thankful. And those are not even all

Christmas and New Years 2011