A Fistful of Grace

Hello!
Welcome to my website. I'm Belle Anne Leslie and I'm a freelance writer. Sarting now I'll be posting a column entitled "Grace Moment By Moment." This column will feature ancedotes, poems and Scripture verses to encourage my readers. Another regular feature will be excerpts of my works in progress; fiction and nonfiction books.
Today's column focus is:
"How much Grace do we really need?"
Grace is God's gift. There is nothing we can do to earn it or to buy it. It is simply a gift we either accept or reject.
Think of it like this: If somebody gives you a shiny red present with a big bow and it wasn't your birthday or an anniversary gift, would you accept it or refuse it?
Too many times we panic because we don't get what we think we need when we need it. But if we are honest with ourselves, it's what we want instead of what we need. God's Grace is like that. We keep asking for more of it but, instead of a fistful or cup God gives us a teaspoon. Much to our surprise, it is more than enough.
Today I had my rugs cleaned professionally. God surprised me when an anonymous donor gave me the money through a friend at church. The only stipulation was I had to use it to clean my carpets. The Lord knew how sick I have been, and while I didn't pray for this gift specifically God answered it all the same.
God's grace is a miraculous thing. It brightens everyone's day when someone shares a blessing they receive. So please share the blessings God gives you with someone else. In this poem there's an idea of how you can do that.

Thornless Grace

When a friend calls to say hello

and I hear his/her voice,

I know God is with me.

When a butterfly on the air flits

hovering around my face, my spirit lifts

and I know God is with me.

On a gray cold day, when the sun plays peek-a-boo

betwixt a cloud or two

I know God is with me.

As the cool crisp bite of a winter's morn,

drives the birds to search for corn

scattered on the ground, I know God is with me.

As the heavenly scents of of warm ginger, lingering rosemary and sharp cheddar

bubble from the oven, I am reminded of mom and dad who are both gone

and I know God is with me.

I know there is no such thing as "thorn less grace"

for without the thorns one often forgets to seek God's Face.

"'My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness'

So when life grows frail and you become weak and worn

remember, I AM is with you."

Written by:

Belle Anne Leslie

Written on:

January 10, 2006

Scripture Reference:

2 Corinthians 12:7-10.

All Scripture Quotations are from (NKJV Thomas Nelson, Inc. 1984.)