Grace and Grit
Okay, who would have thought that I would get my writing inspiration today from a box of Sweet tarts? I’ve been sitting here with a laptop in front of me, I just watched the announcement about Ontario’s stay at home order, and mentally I feel a little tapped out. On days like this, I find it especially difficult to pick myself up out of the disappointment of today to look to the goodness ahead of me. Difficult to find words to encourage, even when my heart knows there is so much to be grateful for.
And so – as I do when I’m faced with a task I’m trying to avoid – I snack. Sweet tarts are one of my favourite treats, and my son Elliot recently noticed that these ones have fun little words on them. Kind of like those hearts you get at Valentines, but these ones say things like “SAVVY”, “FIERCE”, and “CLASSY”. None of which I feel at the moment.
And then I picked one up that said “GRACE”, and I have to say, it took me by surprise. This concept of grace isn’t foreign. Especially as we’ve just celebrated Easter together, we’re familiar with the grace we receive through Jesus. But on a day like today, I was thankful for the reminder of God’s grace. Looking at that piece of candy, I thought to myself “what a nice little gift, to get that reminder on a day like today. What a comfort.”
And then I flipped that candy over, and got another surprise!
On the back of my little “GRACE” candy, was the word “GRIT”. Grit, which is defined as “courage and resolve; strength of character.” (Oxford Languages) While the word “grace” is very much a part of our Christian vocabulary, “grit”… not so much. And yet, it really resonated with me. The word “grit” assumes difficult circumstance, and a need to persevere. Can anyone relate to that at the moment??
As this pandemic has turned from weeks, to months, to over a year, it has been easy to lose hope. It has been easy to lose strength. Where do we find our courage? Where do we find our resolve? I think so many of us have looked inward for the resolve to get us through this time. But, church, grace isn’t the only gift God has given us! He gives us reason to have courage, He gives us strength to persevere!
Isaiah 41:10 says,
And so – as I do when I’m faced with a task I’m trying to avoid – I snack. Sweet tarts are one of my favourite treats, and my son Elliot recently noticed that these ones have fun little words on them. Kind of like those hearts you get at Valentines, but these ones say things like “SAVVY”, “FIERCE”, and “CLASSY”. None of which I feel at the moment.
And then I picked one up that said “GRACE”, and I have to say, it took me by surprise. This concept of grace isn’t foreign. Especially as we’ve just celebrated Easter together, we’re familiar with the grace we receive through Jesus. But on a day like today, I was thankful for the reminder of God’s grace. Looking at that piece of candy, I thought to myself “what a nice little gift, to get that reminder on a day like today. What a comfort.”
And then I flipped that candy over, and got another surprise!
On the back of my little “GRACE” candy, was the word “GRIT”. Grit, which is defined as “courage and resolve; strength of character.” (Oxford Languages) While the word “grace” is very much a part of our Christian vocabulary, “grit”… not so much. And yet, it really resonated with me. The word “grit” assumes difficult circumstance, and a need to persevere. Can anyone relate to that at the moment??
As this pandemic has turned from weeks, to months, to over a year, it has been easy to lose hope. It has been easy to lose strength. Where do we find our courage? Where do we find our resolve? I think so many of us have looked inward for the resolve to get us through this time. But, church, grace isn’t the only gift God has given us! He gives us reason to have courage, He gives us strength to persevere!
Isaiah 41:10 says,
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Just like we look to God to give us grace, we look to him for strength, and for help in our time of need.
And he provides.
Jolene Sanders
jolene@calvaryburlington.ca
And he provides.
Jolene Sanders
jolene@calvaryburlington.ca
Psalm 121
I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore.
I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore.
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