It Should Be Enough

As I continue on this journey, I am more and more aware of why we are still considered ‘children of God’, even after our hair turns gray and our eyesight begins to falter. The most significant lesson I’ve learned is realizing how little I really know. Sure, life has presented experiences that give me a bit more wisdom in certain areas, but when I consider the vastness of this world, I feel like I’m still in kindergarten.

My story is different from your story, so the things I have learned may not be relevant to your experiences, and vice versa. I can offer advice to my grown kids, but there are so many variables involved with their situations that are so different from my own. I guess that’s why we were given the gifts of compassion and empathy, to soften the blows when we don’t know what else to say or do.

Since having made my own mistakes and learning to make the best of them, there are times when I can foresee an undesirable outcome when my kids make questionable choices. At least I can try to warn them of the potential pitfalls. But in the end, we are all at the mercy of the unknown, and simply try to do the best we can, don’t we?

I often compare myself as a parent to how God watches over us. He has given us specific instructions to live a full and happy life, but he has also given us free will. As we raise our children, we try to teach them good morals and how to treat others, hoping our lessons will stick when they venture out on their own. I have experienced firsthand what if feels like watching a child self-destruct before my very eyes. It almost killed me.

Imagine for just one second how God must feel when he sees the despicable things we do to each other. Now multiply that by about 7 billion people. Can you grasp now why Jesus had to go to the cross? God has been watching us throughout the ages as we fulfill the very things he knew would come to pass. It is clearer than ever why Jesus had to endure what he did to atone for our sins. We wouldn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of going to Heaven if it weren’t for what Jesus did on our behalf.

For these last few years, I have been on an emotional roller coaster and have felt completely lost. I understand better now that much of what I was feeling was legitimately difficult, and the grief I have gone through was necessary. The fog seems to be clearing a bit now, and I am slowly finding my footing again. Perhaps for the first time. All I know for sure is that I could not have done any of this without God’s grace.

Did I deserve his grace? No way. None of us deserve his grace, and yet, he gives it to us freely. He still fills me with his love, despite the wicked things I have thought, said, and done. He has seen me through yet another gut-wrenching season in my life. I am beyond grateful, but mostly, I am deeply humbled by his love and mercy. I am humbled by his forgiveness.

As we enter the Easter season, it is my prayer that you will ponder the things that God has done in your life and remember to thank him. After you do that, think again about why Jesus had to go to the cross. If the cross was all that was ever done for any of us, it should be enough.

Blessings,

Lisa Jo