When Grace is for Everyone But You

I lay in bed and stared at the ceiling. The conversation from the car replaying in my mind again and again.

I use the term "conversation" lightly. Heated debate seems a more accurate description.

Why do I always do this? Why do I do the exact things I scold and discipline my own kids for?

The heated debate? I was yelling at my kid for snapping at me in response to me snapping at her.

Mom of the year right here, folks.

As I lay there in the darkness, ceiling fan whirring my failures around the room like dust bunnies, I felt Him whisper to me.

"Grace, daughter. Grace for her mistakes. And grace for yours."

I don't know about you, but I have a much easier time extending grace to others than I do myself. Whether it's my kids, my spouse, my students, or some random stranger in public, grace is readily available for them.

But for me?

Grace feels like...permissiveness. Or maybe dismissive. It feels like an excuse. It feels...underserved.

And that's the thing about God's grace --- it's never deserved. That's why it's called grace.

Accepting His grace, and giving myself grace for my shortcomings, doesn't mean I sweep them under the rug, shrug my shoulders, and sigh, "There's nothing I can do about it. That's just how I am."

No.

Grace moves me out from under the lead blanket of guilt and defeat, and lightens the load. It frees me to learn from my mistakes and short comings, lean into Him, and grow.

Without grace, I'd be buried under a burden of such weight I'd be rendered utterly useless.

But grace. But God.

So, friend, if you're like me, and reluctant to fully receive (or offer yourself) His grace, can I encourage you to just accept that gift? You'll be all the better mom for it.

Blessings,

Jen

P.S. We're growing in grace together this month as we celebrate the release of The Better Mom book! Find out more here.

At the heart of The Better Mom is the message that Jesus calls us to live not a weary life, but a worthy life. We don’t have to settle for either being apathetic or struggling to be perfect. Both visions of motherhood go too far. Ruth offers a better option. She says, “It’s okay to come as we are, but what we’re called to do and be is far too important to stay there! The way to becoming a better mom starts not with what we are doing, but with who God is inviting us to become."