The Common Graces

“So, what did you get?” Her eyes meet mine as we’re sipping coffee one afternoon. I feel that old feeling surge up. I want to say, ‘Why does it matter?’ but I mumble my list. Suddenly the book of poetry and the homemade ornament and the Christmas socks seem so small. She tells me her list and I feel it again—a mixture of self-pity and self-righteousness.

Poor me, we don’t get very much at Christmastime. But wait, that’s not what it’s about anyway. Poor her, she doesn’t see what Christmas is all about. But maybe she does and I’m just jealous. I keep quiet.

I leave later with a sense of confusion in my heart. Why can’t I just be real and tell her the truth? Why am I so two-faced? Both grateful for what I have and delighted with the treasures I receive and yet wishing I had more. Why are the common graces not enough?

I want to live in such a way where I can lovingly and honestly answer her question. Where I can give and receive and be truly grateful. I believe that this isn’t something that is won easily and without a daily request for God’s help. Aren’t we all so bombarded with the exact opposite message in this world? One of More! More! More!

Let’s live out gratefulness and grace today.

♥


Some thoughts on common grace by Mike Fabarez
Beth Moore’s treatise on comparison—So Long, Insecurity.
and this blog entry! "if we were all the same, how would the world get to see the immense creativity of our God!?"