Because of Grace!

It was the eve of Mother's Day and the meltdown was epic. By far, the worst one to date. I'll spare you the gruesome details. We didn't finish our errands and Owen and I both cried on the way home. I didn't feel like an awesome Mom. I didn't feel one bit worthy of this calling.
But there is grace. Thank goodness for GRACE!
Regardless of who we are or what path we're on, I'm willing to bet we've all had moments of feeling the exact opposite of awesome. We are all unworthy. And yet we are loved unconditionally by a God who has every reason to condemn us. Unexplainable, ridiculous grace.

But we don't receive grace so that we can stay where we are. Or we shouldn't, anyway. Grace should move us, transform us. When my tiny son grabs me around the neck and growls (his version of a 'bear' hug), it makes me want to be everything that he believes me to be. His acceptance of this mama, glaring faults and all, and forgiveness of my short comings is not a license to continue in my frustration but to strive for excellence! His grace inspires.
You know who else was given grace? The woman we get to meet in John 8. She is dragged to the very front of a crowd and her unworthiness, her short comings are declared before everyone within hearing distance. 'This woman was caught in the act of adultery.' And they don't care one bit about this woman; these religious leaders are simply using her to test Jesus. 'The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?' But Jesus bends down and writes in the dust with his finger.
I imagine the stunned silence of the gathered crowd has turned into a low hum of murmuring and whispers. As the leaders continue in their demand for answers Jesus responds, 'All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!' And he continues his writing in the dust. He's taken the heat from their argument, turned the accusations around. Who here has NEVER fallen short, Jesus wants to know, because they're the only ones with room to judge.

And as her accusers slip away in silence, the Teacher glances up in feigned surprise and asks where they went. 'Didn't even one of them condemn you?' She answers, 'No, Lord' And Jesus, the only One without a single short-coming, extends grace, beautiful grace. "Neither do I. Go and sin no more."  [taken from John 8:1-11]
Woah. Talk about grace that inspires. Obviously this woman was going to sin again... we all do, no matter how outstanding our intentions. But Jesus saw beyond that when He forgave her, freed her and said 'sin no more'. He saw in her the desire and ability to rise above. He saw what no one else saw. Jesus looked into those eyes, downcast with shame, and saw potential for greatness! And I don't know how her story goes from that point on, but I wouldn't doubt that her encounter with the Messiah inspired her to rise above.
So I want to be a grace-giver. I want to see in people what may be hidden beneath a rough exterior or particularly hard day. I also want to choose to live in the freedom that Jesus has given. He sees me, eyes downcast as I berate myself for screwing it up again and He says, 'Daughter, I don't condemn you. Now GO and sin no more!' His grace inspires me to be a better mama, a better wife, a better friend than I was yesterday. And because He extends His hand to me and picks me up out of the dust of this life, I can choose to give grace, too. I will choose to live in the freedom that Grace died to give me and I will strive to be all that He already knows I can be!
Today is a fresh start because of Grace! And we can be made new.. because of Grace!