given to grace

It was one of those nights.  With my head on the pillow, I tried to muster up all the strength in my eyelids to stay awake, but I was tired from the busy day.  Honestly, my list of excuses had run dry... a forced apology spat from my lips in an effort to end our "discussion".  

I woke up the next morning to a handwritten note.
a bitter word, a blaming tone, a well-deserved hurtful remark
No.  The page was absent of all the above. 
Instead, he chicken scratched scripted a love note of grace.
The sun's morning rays highlighted his words, overflowing from a heart filled with Christ.
Handpicked flowers from the yard weighed down the corner of the paper in my favorite yellow mug.  My heart grew heavy... overwhelmed with humility and guilt for moments when I have withheld grace.   At the same time, my love for my husband grew stronger, not only because of his unconditional love but because of who he reflected.

 "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases: 
his mercies never come to an end; 
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness."

Lamentations 3:22-23

It was on this grace-filled morning that I tangibly recognized how God designed marriage to reflect His relationship with His Church.   When a marriage is Christ-centered, you are constantly striving towards unconditional love and unity.  The amazing aspect of our relationship with Christ is that He will never fail.  I am not perfect.  Patrick is not perfect. But if we follow Christ's example, we will strive towards a marriage that is consistently given to grace.

May you accept God's grace today with humility 

and utmost thankfulness for this gift undeserving

 and may our understanding of His grace 

overflow into a life of giving grace to others.