In order to pick herself up, Mom decided to call two of her college suite mates. She had a song she sang as a little girl that none of them knew and they would always ask her to sing it. So when the different ones answered the phone she started singing the song. Both roommates immediately started laughing and called her by name. They enjoyed reminiscing and hung up in the best moods! Each day she is calling friends. I was so proud of how she encouraged other's even when she when she could not get out and drive. Isn't that what we are called to do? 1 Thessalonians 5: 11, "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up,just as in fact you are doing." My Granny would say that that phone call was the saving grace that day!
I have always heard the term, "saving grace". It is something positive in an otherwise bad situation. I have seen this all through my life when it seemed like the worse thing ever - even if it was bad there was always some good that came from it. Romans 8: 28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." I am sad for the suffering of so many people during this time of the Corona virus but I am reminded that so many good things will come from it. God will work good from this time of suffering for those who love Him. He will use this for His purpose.
One of the saving graces for me during this time is that I am familiar with Scripture which brings me comfort. People seem to think because I write I can quote Scripture. I wish! But I do know where I can find what I need. And right now I need a lot of comforting Scriptures! We all need to know the Bible for times like these. God gave us this book as a guide book and it applies to any and all situations we go through! It is never too late to pick up and start reading and meditating.
I have seen so many wonderful things during this time. I feel God bringing people to my mind who I may need to call or send a card just to let them know they are on my mind, in my heart and in my prayers. Just in my family we have all sat together at the table for meals, we have biked together, played games, cooked together, sat and worshiped together, gone on walks together and even did yard work together. When my girls were growing up this was familiar but how quickly those times left. I think another blessing is slowing down and remembering what is most important. i have seen so many Facebook posts of people taking pictures on walks. They are even posting individual pictures of flowers they have never seen before! We are taking the time to stop and smell the roses and enjoy God's creation! In a time of such division....disasters remind us of our need to help others. One day someone brought my mom cupcakes. The next day a friend brought her chicken salad and homemade cookies! Galatians 6: 2, "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
Another saving grace is to meditate on all of our blessings. Philippians 4: 8, "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just,whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." Think of all the blessings you have received in the last week. Think of how you could be a blessing to someone else.
We know what grace is. It is God's unmerited favor. It is God doing something for us out of love that we do not deserve. It is offering us salvation when we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Thankfully, we are not saved by our works but by our faith. Romans 5: 8, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Ephesians 2: 8, "For it is by grace you have been saved,through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God..."
We have so much to be grateful for. We deserve nothing but God gave us everything! Let's thank Him for all of our saving graces and especially for His saving grace!