December 2021

Twinkle in her eye with the excitement of pure innocence founded in the unknown experience yet ahead. Body strong but frail but capable of what she didn’t know she could handle. With fortitude of will she takes each step with unsure courage to tackle whatever comes next. With only a slight curve of her lips, because there is also pain, she expresses her joy even in the angst.

Lessons of life can’t compare to what others tell you. You just have to live it yourself. Meeting each new experience with alert intention but the flexibility of determination.

Because sometimes unexpected twists and turns desire to take your eyes off the prize at the end of the race. With eyes and will focused on the finish line enjoying the journey can be hard. But you keep going.

Not for yourself. You aren’t the reason you keep going. It is for others. Because there is someone who needs you. And you learn to take care of you for others. So you can be what others need.

Your hands and feet will lead the way for others coming next. Your voice will echo one day in the voice of another. Your actions and cares will be reflected in another’s actions and cares. Your priority will be their priority.

So be intentional and walk it out. Intentions without action are meaningless expressions. Love fiercely with no apologies.

“Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD; AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’ The second is this, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.””
‭‭Mark‬ ‭12:29-31‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬
https://www.bible.com/100/mrk.12.29-31.nasb1995

How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? Hebrews 10:29 (NAS)

You may think this a strange verse to consider in the midst of Christmas season. For so long, I looked at this verse as a standard to which I could not achieve. My imperfect self could not possibly deserve that which was poured out and split open in a perfect covenant. But to not accept it?

Look at it again.

Start at the end.

Grace. That one gift wrapped up and placed in the perfect spot on the tree. Sufficient for all who seek it. Not to be worked for and achieved but a gift so precious only the best wrapping was used. The finest, in fact. Then, when that perfect wrapping was beat down the Spirit remained. Reminding of the grace so precious, for those that choose to accept it.

Google “define grace” and you will find two definitions before coming to the one referred to in this verse: (in Christian belief) the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.

Believing in the free and unmerited favor of God.

Receiving the free and unmerited favor of God.

Understanding without the blood of the covenant there is no sanctification.

Knowing that being a sinner requires the free and unmerited favor through which the blood of the covenant sanctifies.

And you only have to accept it. No work required just acceptance.

Understanding the grace is not earned. Grace cannot be purchased. The price was paid.

The gift given.

Acceptance is the recognition that, as a sinner, the Son of God gave the gift that keeps on giving. Even when that old sinfulness pops up and rears its ugly head: GRACE.

Choosing to live in the grace offered by the perfect gift honors that Gift. Accepting that gift over and over. Continually looking for that gift. Embracing that gift.

Getting back to the beginning of this verse, to trample that gift, to grind that gift into the dirt, to set it aside and ignore it, to refuse acceptance of the continual presence of grace, to deny the free and unmerited favor……..

Deserving of severe punishment.

A free gift is yours this Christmas season. Wrapped in a blanket. Laid in a feeding trough. Will you honor and accept it?

New Breath

Gifting Grace

Archives for December 2021