Grace – Use It or Lose It

Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they shall walk in my law, or no.  Exodus 16:4

When I first heard about manna, I was a young girl in Sunday school class.  I grew up in the church and in a Christian family and I heard this story over and over and the legend of manna kept repeating itself.

It wasn’t until my husband became ill that the memory of the story of manna came back to me.  Manna was a wafer-like substance that the Lord allowed to fall each day of the week so that the children of Israel had food every day.  It fell six days a week, and only on the sixth day were the children of Israel allowed to collect enough for two days.  All other days of the week, if they collected more than they needed, it spoiled and was completely un-usable.

When my husband became ill, I wanted to know the diagnosis and then the prognosis and then what our life would look like down the road.  My husband tried to keep me in the present and keep my eyes fixed on the Savior.  I was so steeped in research and planning that oftentimes, I would get so frustrated, sad, upset, worried.

I believe that my husband prayed a lot for me.  I believe he prayed for me to finally get it.  The life of a Christian is one of surrender and being present…not looking too far down the road.  Learning to trust that the Savior will provide what you need when you need it.

It wasn’t until my husband died that I finally learned about manna and it’s significance in my life.  

The grief journey is literally one breath at a time.  Just holding on and waiting for your lungs to fill with air so you can take your next breath.  The Lord provides beautiful grace to you each day.  The perfect amount you need for the day.  You must use it and use it well.  Lean into it.  Accept it.  Let it rain down on you and heal you.  The more you use it, the more you have.  God is always faithful and provides what you need in the amount you need it.

Learning this has helped me in my walk on this journey.  Just seven short days ago, my sweet father was called Home after an illness.  He was 84.  This was a man who introduced me to the Heavenly Father.  He modeled a Christlike life and love in my childhood home.  He was faithful and loving.

I wasn’t ready to say goodbye.  I wanted more time with him.  I find myself comforted knowing that I will see him again, but still missing him terribly.  He was a wonderful source of encouragement to me.  He was a source of Godly counsel.  He was my safe place.  My protector.  I will never feel his arms around me in a hug on this side of Heaven.  I will never hear his voice again on this side of Heaven.

How do I deal with these feelings?  I let God’s Grace rain down on me.  I lean into His arms and ask Him to send me the great Comforter.  I have finally learned to look up at the Savior and take in all His grace for the day.  I’m not worried about tomorrow.  I am in the present.  That is what is getting me through the day-to-day missing of my dad.

Let God’s Grace rain down on you today.  Don’t ration it – take it all in and use it all up each day.  Show Christ that you trust in His ability to provide more tomorrow.  You will see He is faithful!  I guarantee it!

Let His Grace rain down on you! May His Grace rain down on you!