Grace
By
Peggy Kleckner
“But
God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still
sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans
5:8 (NIV)
I know that we are in the
season of Advent, the season of waiting for Christmas. Waiting can be hard
work.
When my children were
younger that was especially true. They knew that presents were being purchased.
They could feel the excitement building, the hum of secrets. Oh, they enjoyed
Christmas concerts and cookie baking, but opening presents was what they had
their hearts set on!
My mother lived in
Florida and so she would send a package for us that arrived before the actual
date of Christmas. I guess I could have made them wait until Christmas, but
truly I didn’t see the point. Why wait and let everything be discovered in one
frenzied, chaotic day?
Nope, we waited just
long enough for all of us to be together after our work and school days…then we
opened our presents! It relieved some of the waiting and I am sure my mother
enjoyed the phone call that followed. Not only did we open the gifts early, but
we didn’t wait until Christmas to call and thank her. We both - - the giver and
the receivers - - enjoyed some of Christmas early.
As I pondered the
waiting of this season, I thought to myself, “Christmas is every day!” Every
morning, there is a package waiting for me to open. Each day is a gift of His
grace.
There is no waiting
until I am good enough, no waiting until I take care of that one blemish in my
character. The verse in Romans 5 reads, “while we were still sinners.”
The price for my sins
is paid. There is nothing that I need to add to it. I can’t deserve it or earn
it. I do, however, need to receive it and enjoy it.
Many of us have
received the gift of salvation. We trusted in Christ as our Savior, but now we
are trying to work to hold on to it. The work has been done. Open
the gift of grace He has for you each day and share the joy of it! Call
out to Him and thank Him.
Christmas is every day
for those who have put their trust in Jesus. Forget the wait, keep
opening the gifts!
GOING DEEPER:
1. Do you believe
that the only joy He has for you is held on the other side of this life? If so,
would you be willing to reconsider?
2. How can you
enjoy the gift of His presence with you today?
FURTHER READING:
Peggy
is a wife and mother of four adult children - - two sons and two stepsons, and
is an active encourager at Oakwood Church in Delafield.
