We are so excited to have the opportunity to have a guest blogger this month to share more on “GRACE”. Mary Helen is a pastor’s wife and mother who has a passion for writing to let Christian women know they are not alone; somewhere out there stands a wife, a mom, and a woman in the same shoes and a God who loves them dearly. I know you will be encouraged and challenged to embrace more “GRACE” in your marriage as you read her post. Let’s join Mary Helen as she shares from her heart –
“His grace has no measure…He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.” The beautiful words to an old hymn blesses and convicts. The grace that God gives to me as His child never runs out.
Can I say the same about the grace that I give to others? Is it unending? Maybe you’re a wife that gives and gives, over and over again; gives of yourself, your time, your love, and your grace. Maybe you’ve given grace to your husband through thick and thin through situations and hardships that most would not stick around to endure. But, then maybe you’re like me. Maybe, just maybe, you are the wife that finds it hard to forgive or overlook when your husband’s boots have been in the middle of the living room floor for two days straight. You can’t forget falling in the toilet because he left the seat up. Seemingly “simple” things, like his late work hours or unwillingness for anything, but a recliner after his long day become harder and harder for you to in return offer grace.
Grace is unmerited or undeserved favor!
God gives us grace though we cannot even come close to what the payment would be to deserve it, and thankfully it’s all because His Son paid that price. But, here’s the kicker…He gives it again and again. We do not just get the one helping of grace for our salvation. We continually get His loving mercy daily, for me sometimes, hourly! James 4: 6 says “But He giveth more grace. Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” Then following right after that God’s Word says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (v.7) You see, to not only give our husbands grace, but to give it over and over again, we ourselves have to cling to God. These verses tell us that in the midst of human flesh, in between all of our lusts and desires and “friendship” of the world, God still gives us more grace. When we choose to think as God would think we can give our husband grace as Christ would give us.
I find it hard not to give grace, but in giving it repeatedly, especially for the same actions. Sometimes we as women put such strong emotions to situations and happenings, both small and large, that to overlook and give our husbands a “pass” of grace is a battle within us. But, “where sin abounded, grace did much more abound, “remember? (Romans 5:20) This tells me that if Jesus’ grace only grows as our sin grows, and we are choosing to live a life as a follower of Jesus, we are shining examples of His grace to us when we give that kind of favor to others.
So close the toilet seat yourself without saying a word to him about it! Give your husband a “pass” of grace today. Then tomorrow, do it again!
Mary Helen Daniels
