Some truth

When I have time or inclination, I participate in a group blog activity called "Five Minute Fridays," where women around the world link blogs together. The topic is pre-selected. Today's topic is "truth."

We all learned from Jack Nicholson that sometimes we cannot handle the truth--well, not always.

Here are some truths that are hard for me to handle, often on a daily basis:

1. I am profoundly deaf. Some days are just not good hearing days. I am so blessed to have a cochlear implant and hear better than before--but I still miss a bunch. I have to remind the people I work with (students and other teachers) that I am still deaf and need them to speak to me and speak one at a time.
2. Past mistakes continue to haunt me. Decisions made in the past have long term effects.
3. You do the best you can and hope that's ok.
4. Living in the world of woulda, coulda, shoulda will make you sick.
5. Children grow up way too fast.
6. Parents age way too fast.

I learned a few new truths this year and want to share them with you. If you've read my blog at all, you know that my implant surgery was up there in "big miracles." The insurance told us "not covered," yet it was (big deal when a procedure is >$100K). This was my first really, really big answered prayer. I've seen these "biggies" in others' lives, but not usually mine. I have felt God's hand of protection on me this year, and His hand of provision.

 Recently, I've been praying for Christmas. Specifically, for some cash to provide Christmas for the kids. Yes, they're older and can get along with less...but Christmas is fun and more so with a little something under the tree. After 2 years of unemployment, the hubs is working...but he's self employed and it's feast or famine. It's been famine of late, so I've prayed for Christmas. Again, I see God provide cash to others, not me (even though the Bible says in Philippians 4:19:And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. I felt kind of selfish and a little silly asking for provision of cash,especially when so many are really suffering. However, my God knows my needs. It was with great joy and surprise that very day that I prayed that I opened an email from my publisher to see that I had a 3rd quarter royalty check coming! I co-wrote a little book about West Point and mostly sell out of my basement...but apparently more and more books are being sold on Amazon. Woot! Surprise Christmas $ sent via God!!

So the greatest truth of all my truths is this: God loves us and has a plan for our lives ("I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly" [that it might be full and meaningful] (John 10:10). 
Why? Because he sent some cash?? Absolutely not...because day by day, hour by hour He reminds us that He is there and has our best at heart. His love doesn't change. He doesn't change...and when I need to remember that, He tends to send reminders--sometimes in the form of Christmas cash.

Five Minute Friday: Grace

Grace: A manifestation of favor; mercy, pardon; undeserved gift.

It's kind of funny that the word for this Five Minute Friday (an online linking of blogs) is "grace." It's a topic I've thought a lot about lately, in both spiritual and worldly applications. Here are some random thoughts on it.

• First (and most importantly): Ephesians 2: 8,9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. Because of the grace of God I have the assurance that I am forgiven and acceptable to Him. There's nothing I can possibly do on my own: it's all Grace. 
• Sometimes people treat each other so poorly. I see this at school every day. I see kids treat each other terribly. I see adults treat each other with no respect or care. I see it at the mall, at the store, the theater. Everywhere I go, people are just terrible to each other. How about if we choose to offer each other some grace instead? What if someone is just having a rotten day? Perhaps we can choose to respond instead of react. Offer a little grace to the next person, instead of biting his/her head off....see where that gets you.
• Online. I'm a part of several online communities. Some are forums, some are facebook pages. Mostly I'm involved in groups for West Point Moms (and grad moms) and cochlear implant users/future users. When you speak, you have body language and facial expressions. Not so online. People get so snippy online because they read much more into posts than what was intended. Lighten up everyone! Offer some grace! Perhaps what you think is blatant isn't there at all.

Those are my random ramblings about grace for this Friday. Do you agree? Disagree? What is grace to you?