What Grace Does

Noise can distract us from the voice of the Spirit, but God often speaks through quiet moments if we give Him room and listen. As a parent it’s rare that I have a quiet moment, yet on one quiet afternoon I’ll always remember, God met me with a renewed perspective of grace.

The house was unusually peaceful that day, providing uninterrupted stillness—stillness I chose to lean into and listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit. I sat on our family room sofa and noticed common items strewn around the space. In a busy home filled with active teenagers sorting out life as best they can, my heart softened, and conviction flooded my soul.

My daughter’s art supplies rested by the half-finished creative assignment she had been working on. I thought of the challenges we’d been through together, which had become the focus of my attention. In the moment, her work in progress reminded me that I, too, am an unfinished masterpiece. That I’m loved by a heavenly Father who cherishes me in my “work in progress” life. God’s grace isn’t about the finished product: He’s focused on loving me through every season, which is brushed with many colours. He sees the full picture. I don’t. I purposed to focus on the beautiful brush strokes and on the heart that God was shaping in His time—which is what grace does.

My older son’s shoes rested by the back door, a reminder of his faithful care of our family pets. I was often frustrated when his shoes were left there, layered with mud or dirt that dropped on the tile. When was the last time I thanked him for his faithfulness or kindly cleaned his shoes? I was reminded that God gently wipes up my messy soul, forgives me, and cleanses me with His unconditional love. I purposed to focus on cultivating my son’s caring heart—which is what grace does.

My husband’s lunch bag and computer sat by our kitchen table, along with my younger son’s school backpack. When was the last time I thanked my husband for being a faithful provider, never complaining about his long commute or about going the extra mile to pick up my son from school? In the rush of family life, impatience had cast a shadow over the gift he is to our family. I was reminded of God’s unconditional love in sending His only Son to live among us and to reach us with His care.

Tears filled my eyes as God reminded me once again that He has graciously given me what I could never earn: the gift of being loved even as the work in progress that I am and being offered eternal life. I purposed to focus on the gifts of life and love that God provided in my husband—which is what grace does.

As I surveyed the common items strewn around the room, grace reframed my perspective and renewed my heart. I had been seeing those items through earthly eyes—as messes that were in my way. That is a self-focused perspective; grace is humble and others-focused. I purposed to remember that day: the day that grace interrupted my view, reframing my perspective from what is temporary to what is eternal. Choosing to view life through an eternal lens is exactly what grace does . . . always.

I’ll never forget that quiet afternoon: God used simple family stuff like art supplies, muddy shoes, a lunch bag, and a backpack to reframe my heart. His grace is a work in progress, often showing up in the daily activities of life if we’re paying attention.

I invite you to find some quiet space in the midst of your busy day. Ask God to open the eyes of your heart, to see where He is offering His gift of daily grace to you. You will find a peace and rest that you’ve been missing. Those who fill your home will sense a refreshing presence of God’s grace.