Library Lesson
We love our local library. Every Tuesday morning, Timmy and I go to the library so that he can attend "story time" for 3-5 year olds and I hang out with other Moms and caregivers. We take out books....lots of them as the limit is 25... and every week I return the set from the week before. This keeps me on track and ensures that I don't have any overdue books. Since the loaning time is 3 weeks, this shouldn't be a problem. But when the program ends and I don't make my weekly trip to the library and the weeks fly by, sometimes I do end up frantically looking for my receipt that indicates when books are due.
Last fall, I found out I had an overdue book so I called the library the next day to renew it and asked how much money I owed. The librarian, a very friendly lady as this is "Friendly Manitoba" according to our license plates, told me that I didn't owe anything. "There is a grace period," she said. I thanked her and when I hung up the phone I thought to myself, "The library practices extending grace, isn't that amazing?!"
The term "Grace Period" has stuck in my mind. I'm so thankful that we are in a time of grace right now! We can receive the atonement that Jesus suffered for on the cross and be forgiven of all of our sins. We receive undeserved mercy and experience a clean-slate to live a new life in Christ. Receiving this grace isn't a one time thing. We need it over and over. One of the lessons I'm learning right now is to face my spiritual poverty and to acknowledge my sin so that I can accept God's grace instead of being angry at myself, living in shame, and finding myself retreating from God. Grace allows me to open up my heart and life and receive God's good gifts.
In this Easter Season of joyful celebration,
"I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation."
2 Corinthians 6:2b
Last fall, I found out I had an overdue book so I called the library the next day to renew it and asked how much money I owed. The librarian, a very friendly lady as this is "Friendly Manitoba" according to our license plates, told me that I didn't owe anything. "There is a grace period," she said. I thanked her and when I hung up the phone I thought to myself, "The library practices extending grace, isn't that amazing?!"
The term "Grace Period" has stuck in my mind. I'm so thankful that we are in a time of grace right now! We can receive the atonement that Jesus suffered for on the cross and be forgiven of all of our sins. We receive undeserved mercy and experience a clean-slate to live a new life in Christ. Receiving this grace isn't a one time thing. We need it over and over. One of the lessons I'm learning right now is to face my spiritual poverty and to acknowledge my sin so that I can accept God's grace instead of being angry at myself, living in shame, and finding myself retreating from God. Grace allows me to open up my heart and life and receive God's good gifts.
In this Easter Season of joyful celebration,
"I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation."
2 Corinthians 6:2b
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