First Baptist Church of Herndon

Generous Portion of Grace

Linda Soller | Feb 03, 2020

It feels like bad things happen in groups. The urban myth is that death comes in threes. People actually find themselves waiting for the next death to strike. Certainly, when things do go badly among groups it can be deflating, discouraging, depressing, and paralyzing. Our congregation knows that firsthand. For the last year we feel like we have been bombarded by news of illnesses, deaths, and loss of jobs. We pray continually for God’s grace for those directly impacted. What we, like many believers, may fail to notice is God’s grace is distributed in generous portions. It’s important to pray for others, but it’s also important to ask for and thank God for grace for ourselves.

Grace is all about support and love, that feeling of being comforted and cared for. It can be difficult to do those things for others when we feel lacking ourselves. Whenever you function in a group, be it family, neighborhood, or congregation you sense a responsibility to care for others. You think, what can I do to help?Unfortunately, sometimes you are struggling so much that caring for someone else seems impossible. You may even find it odd that you are experiencing such a sense of grief for someone else’s loss or such a nagging worry over someone else’s problem. Don’t be alarmed, it’s a sign you truly care. It may feel selfish at first to ask for strength and grace, but like the oxygen mask procedure on a plane, sometimes you must first take care of yourself in order to care for others. 

When the negativity of the world seems to surround you. When you begin to feel helpless in a clear time of need. When you wonder how much more you can endure. That is when you need to pause and come to the table. Come seeking what you need to move forward and serve others. At the table you won’t be left wanting, because God offers generous portions of grace to help us all.

Be humble, be grateful, and be love in our world this week! :o) Linda