Saturday, November 13, 2010

A Gift.

Charlotte and Ginger host these awesome Spiritual Sundays

"Life is a gift and I try to respond with grace and courtesy." Maya Angelou

 I did a radio interview this week. One of the questions the host asked....what is the difference being raised Jewish and my faith today? I didn't have to think. I knew. Grace

Growing up I was taught....I had to earn God's favor. There were tons of rules to follow...rules for everything.....making sure we ate off the right plates....never mixing certain foods with others....never using the car on the Sabbeth...or answering a phone or doorbell. 

On top of that....I had to work to earn God's favor....doing a bunch of 'good' deeds. The more good deeds I did...the greater His favor. 

It was impossible to always do the right thing....It always made me feel like I was on shaky ground....and never quite good enough. And it made me think... God must be Someone very mean. 

Grace made the difference...it was a gift...nothing I could have ever earned..nothing I could have ever worked for....

Grace, His grace shines on me. He gave me wings so I can fly....and gave me a song to color the sky.

31 comments:

RCUBEs said...

So simple truth but hard to grasp if hearts are hardened, eyes are blind and ears are deaf. Thanks be to the Lord for His mercy, love and grace...Blessings to you sister.

Anonymous said...

Oh yes, grace. Amazing grace! It transforms our lives. Thank you, Jesus.

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

This is such a great post today thank-you.Sometimes I forget that grace is a gift.Thank-you for sharing this song with us.
God Bless,
Ginger

Cindy said...

oh the rules we all had, that not good enough feeling, by the grace of God go I, hugs dear Sarah, loved your post. have a wonderful day.

Wanda's Wings said...

Thank God for His grace!

Dolores Ayotte said...

Grace...how eloquently put. Accepting God's Grace as a gift that has been so generously given to us. Yes...acceptance and gratitude of this wondrous gift is one of first stages of God's Grace. Great post Nikki! :)

Ginny Hartzler said...

I heard somewhere that no other religion has grace!! In the old testament, you were treated by how good you were, now we are free!!

Cindy Adkins said...

I'm having a giveaway on my other blog, so I wanted to let you know about it...it's for a pink crystal bracelet!

Saleslady371 said...

I bet that was a super interview. God's grace beats religion any day.

Hugs,
Mary

Susie - Walking Butterfly said...

Where would we be without grace? We would be striving, scraping and running over people to be the best, to do the most and to earn the most reward from God. No thank you.

Dee said...

I have run across quite a few posts on grace today.It must be the Lord wants to remind me....grace and faith go hand in hand with salvation.

Gretta said...

Stopping by from Spiritual Sundays ~ What a blessing that grace is a free gift given to us when we are so undeserving!

grettajohns.blogspot.com

INSIDE THE SHRINK said...

Only by His grace! I would be lost without it. Thanks for the post and God bless, Dr. Bobbi

Cathy said...

Beautiful, Dear ~ For some reason I can't see the video. Blessings ~

Renee said...

Praise God for His grace for us. Only by His grace are we saved.
www.myautumnyears.blogspot.com

Annesphamily said...

Grace says it all! This was a lovely post and the song was perfect to add to your lovely writing. Thank you Sarah! My life has been hectic and I am always meaning to stop by and thank you for your input at my blog. Blessings to you and yours. Anne

Veronica Lee said...

Beautiful!! Thanks for sharing this.

Have a blessed Sunday!

Just Be Real said...

Sarah, I am excited for you dear one. Thank you for sharing! I am so grateful to know now that I do not have to earn God's favor. Blessings.

Sr Crystal Mary Lindsey said...

Hi Sarah, How sad to be brought up like that!
We had some rules as a Christian home. No drinking, swearing, or smoking. Sunday was a day of rest, not to go to social events only church. But I never felt any of these were restricting. To me they were a love.
On the other hand what you have explained was not!! Jesus says "you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free." I believe you have that now. Lots of hugs and kisses. xx

Anonymous said...

My dearest Sarah,

You are my smile on the gloomiest of days! I just love how you talk of God. It makes me soooo happy! Big bear hugs and lots of love! :)

Ruth said...

oh sweet Sarah.. this was beautiful... but for His grace... where, what and how would i be! thanks so much for such a comforting, encouraging and inspiring post. Have a wonderful week ahead...

Hugs,
Ruth

Charlotte said...

Such a beautiful song about a beautiful subject. Grace is a beautiful word, and it's meaning is even more beautiful. Thank you for sharing this today, Sarah.
Blessings,
Charlotter

Dena E's Blog said...

Awwww Sweet Sis,,this was beautiful,, a Spirit filled post.. His Awesome Grace is sooooooooo WONDERFUL and enough!!!
Praying that your Sunday and new week are blessed as you reflect on Jesus...Praise God from who all blessings flow,,Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost...Amen
HugsWithLove~~~Dena

Donnie said...

Wonderful words and song. Thanks so much for sharing it.
Have a blessed Sunday!

Trish said...

Baruch Hashem for grace through Jesus Christ! blessings..Trish

Amrita said...

Thank yuou for th e beautiful post and song

Anonymous said...

His grace overwhelms me.

Unknown said...

Awesome points, Sarah. And I had to smile. Just as God was emphasizing a particular point for you, He's been reminding me about grace all week. Thank you for being used by Him to bless me! :)

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Amazing Grace. His grace makes all the difference.
Blessings,
Lyn

myletterstoemily said...

"grace, grace, God's grace!" i never tire of that theme.

Lisa notes... said...

This is such an interesting post. I've really been focusing on grace this month and I love what you've written about the difference it has made for you. Thanks for sharing.