There is a verse that says, “From the fullness of God’s grace we have all received one blessing after another.” (John 1:16) Today I want to testify to this grace. Bobby and I have been learning that when we put our needs and requests in God’s hands, pray and obey, but don’t hold on to any part of the issue or hoped outcome, that God gives us, not necessarily what we want, but what is best. We saw this not only with our new apartment but also in the friendships and encouraging opportunities that are happening in our lives lately.

A few entries ago I wrote about the great deal of an apartment that Bobby and I found. We have been very excited about this as we were able to sign the lease to have it the beginning of October. We were not held back by the fact that our current apartment management would not let us out of our current lease early without paying the remainder of the lease, which luckily is only the month of October. This presented a slight problem in that we would have to pay the rents of both apartments in the same month. We realized it would be very tight, but might work, so we made arrangements and need to keep spending at the barest minimum this month. Monday we were the stunned recipients of a rather large check. A dear lady in our church heard of our situation with paying double rent and told Bobby that the Lord has given to her abundantly and that she wanted to share that abundance by giving to help us. We were speechless. We knew we could get by without her check, and yet, how does one refuse the grace offered to them? We should not refuse the grace offered to us, for the Lord uses others in our lives to minister in ways that He wants.

The other night one of our high school boys and his mom stopped by and gave us a little box that had the softest little stuffed animal in it and on the tag it said “For baby.” It’s a good four months before this baby comes and they were already giving us a gift! We were both touched by their sweet gesture. There is something very encouraging about having others share in our joy and excitement.

Today I received a phone call from a good friend from college. I haven’t talked to her for some time, and I was so encouraged when she called just to say, “I was thinking about you today.” Amidst all of the blessings of grace that I have been seeing in our lives I have also began to wonder if I live to be an encouragement to others. I sometimes get trapped in the schedule of the day or wanting time for myself, but I should know better.

Every good gift is from God (James 1:17) and if I am willing, He may use me to give to others. I am sometimes in awe when I think about God as the Giver and Provider. He is so beyond our greatest thoughts of Him and yet He concerns Himself with our needs and blesses us. Such divine interaction is entirely underserved. The only response that I can think of that makes sense is that of grateful worship and excitement to pass on that encouragement and blessing to others. Sometimes it’s good just to smile and say “hello” to people. Maybe it’s an e-mail or phone call to let someone know I am praying for them or thinking of them today. Maybe I could send a card in the mail or meet a friend for lunch. Or maybe I could give money, time or a listening ear to someone in need. Maybe even just by updating a blog or leaving a comment…there are many ways to encourage the people around us. Since God has given each of us so much grace, let’s not hesitate to give that grace to others.

You reach down from on high
And put joy in my life
So I’ll praise You as faithful