After finishing up the resolutions for wives and mothers, I was encouraged and refreshed to read that the next resolution was about Grace. Today during my lunch break, I stayed inside and did some reading. It's too humid for me and the curls to be out-of-doors. :) Here's a snippet of what I read...
"Every problem, every issue, every potential disaster, every family member's weakness and failure, every less than desirable circumstance - when viewed through the lens of grace - becomes a fresh opportunity for extending mercy and kindness. Bestowing compassion. Seeing the best, even when the worst is front and center. Dispensers of grace are women who resolve to put candles on the table instead of sulking in the dark. Who let the people in their homes enjoy what they have instead of centering on what they don't. Who don't want people walking on pins and needles around them, always having to accommodate their emotional mood swings to cover up their own failures for fear of being misunderstood.
Who let peace reign.
Who let grace rule.
This woman resolves to make her home a safe place for her family and friends to find a haven from the world. Those who enter her doors find a serenity that grasps them, envelops them, soothes them, embraces them, drawing them in to dine around the table of peace and enjoy the company of those who are pleasurable to be around - because they're accepting, grateful, grace filled.
It's revolutionary." p. 166
She, then, concludes the first section with some convicting questions.
"Are you easy to be around? Do you make it natural for your loved ones to feel accepted? Do you keep track of their mistakes and failures? When your family members do something with the intention of pleasing you, do they get to see a smile of gratitude brighten your face, or do you hardly even notice - won't give them the satisfaction? Do you hold others captive to your critical nature? Do you play the martyr because of all you're required to do? Or...do you remember what Christ has done to cover every single, solitary failure of your life, freeing you from the bondage that would have kept you forever unsettled and unable to live abundantly? Do you eagerly express that same feeling of freedom to those in your home?
Give them a break.
I know they don't deserve it.
But neither did you.
Grace came anyway." ~ p. 168
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