This month I have had the privilege to read many posts proclaiming their thankfulness for a variety of aspects of their life.  Although I didn’t participate in the “30 days of thanksgiving,” as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday I must say I am thankful.  There are so many things I could mention here.  I could mention how I am thankful for having such a wonderful family and the love and support I have received from them my whole life.  I could talk about my church family who have been an inspiration to me and have held my arms up when they were weary.  I could shout to the world about how blessed I am to have two of the greatest children in the world that bring joy to every moment of my life.  I could even write about the prosperity of provision that I have with a roof over my head and food in my cabinets.  I could say I am thankful for multiple areas in my blessed life both trivial and essential.

But to be honest, right now more than anything else I am overwhelmingly thankful for grace.  I once heard grace defined as “unmerited favor.”  To receive something as beautiful as God’s favor and pleasure for no other reason that He loves you.  The world sees me as a decent guy who does ok as a dad, suffices as a friend, and gets by as a preacher.  Some people (like my mom) may even think I am perfect in every way.  Yet the one that knows me better than anyone else; who sees me at my weakest and my worst…The one who has seen every mistake and fall…The one who I can never hide from…He still accepts me.  To me, this is mind boggling.  How can one so perfect embrace one who is so imperfect.  Yet every day I feel His love, His mercy, His acceptance, His strength, His forgiveness, His grace.  God favors me not because what I have accomplished, not for what I have overcome, not for what I have earned; but just because.

Psalm 107:8-9

New International Version (NIV)

8 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
    and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
9 for he satisfies the thirsty
    and fills the hungry with good things.

This gift…this love is why I am completely wrecked with thanksgiving.  Yes, I am thankful.  Thankful that God loves me so much that He graces me not only with all the aforementioned, but also with His presence, His Son, His Spirit, His will, His plan…His GRACE.

Thank you, Lord for giving me what I didn’t deserve, what I couldn’t earn, and what I can”t live without.

Questions to ask yourself…

  1. In what ways have you seen grace at work in your life?
  2. How do you think you would be effected if you only received what you earned or deserved?
  3. How can you show your thankfulness to God for all that He has done?

COMPOSED BY: Pastor Jason Gurley