Hello Mornings: Start StrongSample

Start with Grace

Hearing other moms describe how their child flung back the heart-wrenching words, “I hate you,” made me fearful that one of my children will say it to me. Then it happened. I wouldn’t let my five-year-old son have what he wanted, and he spoke the vengeful three words and ran off to his room.

It pierced, yet my heart didn’t come crashing down into six pieces on the floor around me like I envisioned it would. Why? Because I knew immaturity spoke, not my child’s true heart. I didn’t throw him out of the house because of it. He’s part of the family—he’s my son. I prayed for him, instead. While he’s under my roof, I know he’s going to slowly grow up while hopefully learning from his mistakes.

Isn’t that how God views us? 

We are His beloved children. He doesn’t disown us or throw us out of His kingdom when we make a mistake. Our heavenly Father is faithful to love us. 

And we will make mistakes. We’ll plan to rise early to spend time with Him and forget, oversleep, or decide to do something else. But nothing can separate us from His love, mistakes included (Romans 8:35, 38-39). It’s okay if we miss days. He’s merciful. 

Our God Time doesn’t have to be fancy or flawless. He’s gracious and that grace is extended to us daily. God sees us as righteous because Jesus died in our place. Knowing that means we can cling to grace and keep following Him each morning.

Start with grace. Let’s decide to make that our morning mindset.

This Christian life we live is one of growing. As time goes on, anything that grows continues to look just a little bit different. The changes are miniscule yet steady. Grow in grace (2 Peter 3:18).

My son emerged a short while after running to solitude. He surprised me when he apologized and added he loved me. 

As I embraced him, I let him know he’s forgiven and loved. Because he's in the family.

How can you apply grace to your morning routine?