But For Because of the Grace of God...

It's late. It's so cold and windy here on top of Lookout Mountain. I brought "the boys" in to sleep in their crates tonight, and I can smell the "stinky dog" aroma drifting in here from the laundry room. "The boys" don't know how bad they smell...they are just happy to be all warm and cozy for the night.

I've just been sitting here pondering all the things going on in the world and around me...Just trying to decide what to write for my blog for the day. If I really told the truth, I would say that what I started to write was that I'm tired and lonely and a little frustrated. But then I remembered....

...somewhere someone is sitting in the hospital at their child's bedside like they did last night and the night before that, and the night before that, and the night before that...that person is tired

...somewhere someone attended the funeral of her best friend today...that person is lonely

...somewhere someone is re-reading his pink slip for the hundredth time. After giving 30 years to the company, this is what he gets...that person is frustrated

What is that old saying? Perhaps I'm misquoting, but it's something like...."But for the grace of God, there go I...." I started to write that old saying, BUT...who is excluded from the grace of God? Isn't it available to everyone? Exhausted parent? Bereaved friend? Displaced employee? TWH house mother?

Misfortune doesn't come to us because God has withheld His grace. I believe grace is made for those of us with trouble, stress, and misfortune! How would we ever make it through our most stressful days without His grace...protecting us, guiding us, refreshing us, reminding us, forgiving us! I will even admit that His grace completely cleans up after me on most days!

So what, then, shall I do?

I must choose to be thankful in all things, remembering the grace that is poured out on me through Jesus Christ.