Jacob at breakfast… “Heavenly Father, thank you for my mommy, daddy, my food, and my sins. Amen”  Jacob, is the youngest son of my HS classmate and his beautiful wife.  They, in the past few years have adopted three children into their family, having raised two of their own, and completing their tribe.

Thank you for my sins. Profound words from a small child.  It goes that way doesn’t it?  We often seek knowledge in all of the places we expect, and often overlook the places we’re likely to find but…. never think to look.

In my pursuit of grace I am finding myself more aware of myself, and those around me.  There have been days where I’ve been tickled at my ability to walk in that place, where grace is freely received and freely given, and I’ve also found myself walking in the space where my grace hasn’t been seen for miles.

All of this brings me back to the simple prayer of a young child, “Heavenly Father, thank you for my sins.”  You see…. without being aware of my sin, how would I know, and grow from the grace of the ONE who has given me NOTHING I deserve and EVERYTHING I don’t?

Well played Jacob…

That’s how it goes with grace.  A long road, a very long road with twists and turns.  Places of feeling perfectly at home and places where I couldn’t feel more lost. I will keep on the road, I know the destination is where I want to be, I will arrive, if only by the grace of God.

20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.

21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.

22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. — Romans 3:20-24