Saturday, July 20, 2013

The Shelter of Grace


Grace-based parents spend their time entrusting themselves to Christ. They live to know God more. Their children are the daily recipients of the grace these parents are enjoying from the Lord. ~Tim Kimmel


Grace, what exactly is it?  As "big" people, we say it's "amazing." We define it as "God's unmerited favor, a kindness we will never deserve." But do we really grasp the magnitude of God's grace? And how will we teach our children and grandchildren about grace? 


My daughter, Melanie, is filled with creativity. She has chosen to focus on her children during this season of motherhood. So for now she uses her creativity on her children, home and hospitality.  

Last week she prepared a craft project for her children.  She wrote "Grace" on a piece of paper for each one.  They covered the word with glue -- our sticky sins.  Then they sprinkled colored salt over the glue -- illustrating how God's grace changes our lives to something beautiful.  

Awards Night 2013
This grace, so freely given to my grandchildren's great-great Grandfather Cessna, is the same grace available to them. But if not modeled to them, will they grasp its significance? Modeling is much more than a craft project, but with Shawn and Melanie demonstrating God's grace daily, grabbing those teachable moments and planning purposeful projects, the word concept will grow in their minds and the significance will blossom in their hearts.


I've been the recipient of God's grace. And yet, I don't think I totally grasp the beauty and knowledge of just how amazing this grace is. But I do know the sticky sin God saved me from. I'm amazed how much beauty the colored salt of grace brings to my life. 


No, I may not totally grasp the strength of grace until I look in the eyes of the One who extended it. But I am sheltered with His wondrous, beautiful grace; my heart is full.





16 comments:

Denise said...

Thanks for sharing this.

J said...

This is beautifully expressed. All mothers are bound to make mistakes, but if their lives model the grace that God so freely gives, there will dwell forgiveness and understanding in the family, and all will be well!

a joyful noise said...

Mistakes, I made plenty of them, but all seems to be covered by grace and forgiveness. Thank you for visiting my story about the lost baby and your sweet comments.

Courtney said...

What a wonderful craft idea. Grace is a hard concept to grasp, even for me as an adult. Love how you are living it out.

Grandma Bonnie said...

Your writing is very moving. I also may not understand Gods grace fully. But I see and feel bits of it everyday. Thanks for sharing.

Elizabethd said...

I have been studying Max Lucado's book on Grace, lately. What an immense subject it is. So much to take in.

Debby Ray said...

Pamela,

You have a beautiful site and I love your thoughts on grace. I don't understand it but I'm sure glad I don't need to!

Debby

Jody Lee Collins said...

Pamela, thank you for your kind words over at Three Way Light. I smiled reading your 'Grace' post about your daughter and her children. Our son and his wife have 5 kids and their investment in them is being returned in many ways. Doesn't it bless our grandmother hearts?

Sharon said...

This was so lovely.

I have to tell you, Pamela - I stared God's grace in the face last week. My husband and I were evacuated for four days due to a raging wildfire that came within a mile of our home and town.

God's grace covers my sin, yes - but this past week, it also stopped a fire.

GOD BLESS!

Unknown said...

This was a beautiful illustration of God's grace. Thanks for sharing this post.



Nikki (Sarah) said...

this was a great way to describe Grace....and I for one am totally thankful for His Grace that sticks and changes everything it touches.

Esther Joy said...

Beautiful, Pamela. I guess with God's help, I am trying to do "grace based grandparenting"!

Ceil said...

Hi Pamela! So nice to be here at your blog!

I LOVE that idea your daughter had about putting sparkles on the word "Grace." Of course, I am a bit of a sparkle gal, but so is Our Lord. His presence always lights things up.

Thank you for sharing their family picture too. You must be so proud of them :)

Happy Tuesday,
Ceil

Lisa in Texas = ) said...

I've been so busy that I just had a chance to read this. This is beautifully written- thanks! Lisa :O)

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

You must be so proud of your daughter. I wonder who she learned all that creativity from? :)

Fondly,
Glenda

Grandmother Wren said...

what a nice way to help the children express an understanding of grace. Beautiful!