Before a few words about grace, I wanted to invite you to come link up tomorrow for the first ever Into the Beautiful Link Up. You can read the “strict” guidelines HERE. 😉
At church yesterday we were reminded of the story in Matthew 18 where a servant goes to the King and begs him for mercy. The servant asks for more time to pay off an extraordinary debt. The King goes beyond the servant’s request and cancels the debt completely. However, instead of passing this incredible gift on, the servant withholds this grace from one of his peers who owes him money. There are harsh consequences for his lack of compassion.
We were reminded of the importance of breathing grace in our lives. Grace must be inhaled and grace must be exhaled.
Our pastor shared with us about a time in 1848 when the Niagara Falls actually stopped flowing for a few hours. Strong gusts of wind had pushed large chunks of ice out into the path of the falls. I read a little bit more of the account when I returned home. The incident was considered an ice jam.
Ice jam
This phrase reminded me of all the times in Scripture when I’ve read the words hardened hearts.Â
Do not let your hearts be hardened.
When we harden our hearts and refuse to extend the gift we have received then our hearts experience an ice jam. We block the flow of grace when we refuse to exhale. And just like the Falls where fish died and turtles floundered, our lives begin to do the same thing. Grace was never a gift that was intended for us to keep to ourselves. Life can only be sustained when we breathe it out too.
Where do you need to exhale grace today?
Linking with Jen today at Finding Heaven.
“We were reminded of the importance of breathing grace in our lives. Grace must be inhaled and grace must be exhaled.” I love that, grace must be inhaled and exhaled. Beautifully said.
Hi Eileen, such a great reminder to remember grace. God offers it so freely, so should we.
God bless
Tracy
Love this Bible passage about the King. Hubby just talked about it not that long ago, as well, and I love the reminders here. It’s so typical us to want what we’re not so willing to freely give.
That’s interesting about Niagra Falls! I love when you said “Grace was never a gift that was intended for us to keep to ourselves. Life can only be sustained when we breathe it out too.” This is so true. Being a believer and follower of Christ, we must extend the same mercy and grace in which we were given…it’s not always easy but it exemplifies Christ when we do;)
Inhale and exhale grace. I need to write that down and post it everywhere:) So glad I visited today! I see that you are a SheSpeaks graduate, any advice for me? I’m going in less than 2 weeks.
That’s great Christina. She Speaks was great! Are you on the writer or speaker track? I did the writer’s track last year. Unfortunately, I can’t attend this year. The only advice I would have is to meet as many folks as you can. I was pretty reserved, still didn’t feel much like a writer and had a hard time coming out of my shell. Hope you have lots of fun!
Inhale…Exhale…Breathing Grace ~ I love it.