Today, I met with some friends to review the materials for a mom’s formation group we are leading this Fall. As we discussed the materials, we came to the discussion of a grace filled moments.
Being that my comfort level of talking about how God works in my life is high – NOT – I immediately veered off in another direction with a side story. (I seem to think I can talk my way out of anything. I blame my father.)
“So, this is wildly off topic, but I can’t get it out of my head. All summer my mom and her friend and Jeff have been trying to get me to read this book. I don’t know why I stalled. They gave it to Jeff for Father’s Day, and he said it was good. But I just kept putting it off.
It’s about this Navy SEAL from Hot Springs who had all sorts of issues but ultimately found purpose and became a elite special forces guy after he was saved by Jesus Christ. It’s called ‘Fearless’.
Anyway, we went to seem Mom on Labor Day, and she asked once again when I was going to read it. I shrugged and couldn’t give her a good answer. I just kept forgetting it was on my Kindle.
Then we came home and later that same day I was talking to my neighbor about random shit – lawns, trash cans, chores, mowing, etc. Then out of the blue Alan says, “I have a great book you should read. It’s called ‘Fearless’.
He went on to describe the book while my jaw dropped, and I stared at him.
So I had to read the book this week, and it’s really good and amazing. But it’s totally inappropriate for a mother’s group, but I really want to talk about it.
Anyway, I’m always weird about ‘grace filled moments’. Can one of you start the examples? Something will come to me eventually.”
At this point they are looking at me a bit oddly, and I’m getting a little self conscious about sidetracking about the military.
A: “I think that story is pretty good.”
Me: “What? The story about the SEAL. Doesn’t seem to fit the group.”
A: “When the guy next door told you about the book is pretty neat.”
Me: “That was a grace filled moment?”
M: “Uh, yeah.”
A: “Pretty amazing.”
Huh. Apparently I don’t recognize a grace filled moment when it kicks me in the ass.
Am I oblivious to God’s work in my life because I’m just not looking for it?
This was a big eye-opener to me. I haven’t re-framed my thoughts to start considering amazing moments to be full of God’s grace. To really see and appreciate His work.
So, I think I need a new Tiny Habit – which would make more sense if I had actually posted the Tiny Habits post…standby for that.
I always try to thank God for all the blessings of the day, but I feel like I need a more conscientious way to approach this in the future.
How do you appreciate God’s grace each day?
I think this comes down to assigning the word God to it. You had already noticed the variety of people pushing you to read the book, and even the way it was coming at you from so many different life areas. You were even aware of it’s interest to other people as a life event to the point that subconsciously you know it was relevant to bring up in the context of grace filled moments.
I think there’s a sort of picture that we all tend to form in our minds of what a close relationship with God looks like. And when our own doesn’t match that image makes us uncomfortable in discussing why ours is different. The moments that you find most notable for thanks may not be what someone else finds, but I think we all notice the moments that we need to.
Not everyone loves dessert for the same reasons, but everyone loves dessert.