How to Get Find God’s Grace When It’s Lacking
Robert and I are caregivers for his 90-year-old father. As I mentioned last week, on October 10, he fell backwards all the way down a flight of steps. Fortunately, he didn’t break anything, but he’s still in the hospital from complications that developed after the fall.
Because he was put in rehab and expected to improve with therapy, we didn’t have help from other family members with his care the first week. But, the improvement only lasted a day, then he seemed to lose ground rather than gain strength. By the end of the week, he needed total care, and his condition is changing little.
The first week, when we had full responsibility, God’s strength and grace were amazing, maybe even supernatural. In every way, we experienced the Lord’s strength carrying us through the week.
We were exhausted, however, and very grateful when family came from other towns and states to help. They filled in for the weekend and stayed with us during the second week to help out as needed—both in the home and in the hospital. We were graciously and abundantly blessed by family.
However, a strange thing happened in my life. The second week, when we had plenty of help, I didn’t experience the same level of grace that I had the first. I was more on edge internally, fought constant headaches, had less peace within, and less patience with those around me.
Some of that could be attributed to accumulated fatigue and long term stress, but it seemed bigger than that.
I identified my problem in church, during the third verse of the hymn “He Leadeth Me.” As we sang “Lord, I would place my hand in thine,” I saw that during the first week, my focus was on the Lord. I was constantly aware that I was learning to lean on Him. I placed my hand in His and I kept it there.
In contrast, during the second week, my focus slipped. I was thinking about what I needed to do, planning menus, and interacting with house guests. None of that is bad. In fact, it was good—except that it became my focus.
In order to stay in abundant grace, I need to be deliberate in placing my hand in the hand that gives me grace. When I don’t, I begin relying on myself. My hands get busy and my focus follows.
It’s clear that, without God, my strength is not adequate. He is with me all the time, so His strength is always available. I am the one that takes my hands out of His.
When I recognize my dependence on God, His grace is sufficient. I need to constantly lean on Him and keep my hand in His.
We’re beginning week three. More family is coming and will be staying with us, so I’ll be tempted to be distracted again. But that is true of life every day, isn’t it? It’s a gift when He helps us see so clearly how much difference it makes when we stay connected with Him.
If you’ve found God’s grace lacking in your life lately, I’d suggest you focus on the giver of grace, slip your hand in His, and purpose to keep it there. That’s my plan for this week and the weeks to come. Life is much more pleasant when everything doesn’t depend on me!
Question: What do you do to be intentional in keeping your focus on the Lord during busy, stressful times?
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