Do You Need Grace?

I had resolved, even though I was not feeling well, that all my responses to my husband would be kind, considered, give him the benefit of the doubt…… and it did not go to plan.

Again, I was grumpy. Thinking only of myself.

Again, harsh words came from my lips.

Again, I came away frustrated with myself, with the conversation, with how it had ended.

Why did I not hold my tongue?

Why did his words and actions frustrate me so?

Really thinking about it I realised I wanted something that he was not giving me. Maybe something He could not give.

Ever been there……..?

Think about it this way. You have an itchy back and cannot reach the place to scratch it even with all the stretching, all the movements of your body. You could not reach the spot. Then you ask someone to help you and try and describe to them the spot to scratch. You start getting more and more frustrated because they can’t find the RIGHT spot. In your frustration, your voice is raised, your words don’t come out properly. You can’t even describe where….. up, down, to the left, more to the right…….the Right place, where  the itch is!!!!!

Oh. so frustrating!

 It made me think. Am I wanting something that possibly only Our heavenly Father can give me? Where in Our Father’s Kingdom all wisdom coming from His mouth is true, is holy, is for our best. It’s described so well in the book of James.

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. James 3:17 ESV

James 3:17 ESV

When I read this my heart says ‘yes.’ That’s what I want. What I needed right now.

Words coming from a heart full of mercy and with only good fruits.

Then I had to look to myself too.  My words and actions towards my husband, were not good. Expecting him to understand how I felt, what I needed, without vocalizing it. He was only Human. He could not read my mind. More than that He could not give to me what Jesus can. What the Holy Spirit can. What My Loving Father in Heaven can.

Was I looking for love in the wrong places? – so the saying goes.

The TOTAL, PURE, WHOLESOME, PERFECT LOVE that ONLY GOD CAN GIVE. My frustration would NOT even exist if I turned to My God first and received the gifts that He extends to us DAILY. If I turned to God to answer all my needs.

So, I resolved once again to start again.

Asked for forgiveness from my God.

Asked for forgiveness from my Husband.

And moved forward, hopefully being kinder of heart, and more loving towards him. Asking God to help me hold my tongue when perfection was not given to me. Asking God to help me extend GRACE, that came from HIM, to my husband.

And so, to live in PEACE each Day. Being Grateful for each day and for my husband, who was trying his Best.  After this decision, His words did not frustrate me so. Our conversation was better. God had sent GRACE and continues to do so.

Where do you need the Grace of God in your Life so you can extend it to others?

May these jottings from my journal inspire you to believe in and fall in love with Christ- the hope of the world, as stated in Jeremiah 17:7, ‘Blessed is the man who believes and trusts in and relies on the Lord and whose hope and confident expectation is the Lord!’

Love

Rosemary

Every week groups of ladies meet together to chat about the things I raise in my weekly blog post and to chat about life in general. We call these ‘Heart Connect’ groups. If you would like more information please click HERE.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Have you ever felt frustrated because someone in your life didn’t understand or know what you wanted?

Where do you need God’s Grace so that you can give it to others?