Grace may not be fully recognized in your life and thereby, cause you to undervalue your life. Being aware of the significance of grace in our lives makes all the difference in how we see who we are and how we live our lives. When we are able to see our true value we are more likely to direct our lives in a way that honors that value. When our perceptions of self are errant, skewed by lies and misinformation we fail to rise to the level of excellence warranted by that value. Grace.

When you hear the word grace what comes to mind? 

Is it the name of someone you know? The Grace that I met many years ago is a very sweet, gentle woman with an engaging smile, quick wit and caring heart.  Do your thoughts move to someone similar when you think of grace?

When you hear the word grace do you think of an action that occurs at the dining table? For some the first thing that comes to mind is the words said before consuming food, especially prior to a big feast like Thanksgiving dinner.

Maybe you think of a way of moving with elegance when you think of grace.

Taking Inventory

Many years ago I worked as a temp in a department store taking inventory. First, all in-stock merchandise was sorted and counted, by hand, then a tally was taken. Items were sorted by department, style, color, size and price. They were then counted and the information was noted. Each count was done with care, including a recount. Later the data was analyzed to empower the best decisions for retail outcomes in the future. This process, although more computerized continues today.

When we want to make changes in our behavior, taking inventory is part of the process. We sort out our thoughts and feelings as they relate to our actions, behaviors and habits. When we first objectively look at what are thoughts, feelings, behaviors and actions are, we are better able to see what behaviors are connected to which outcomes.

Through this type of personal inventory, we achieve desired outcomes by continuing to keep those thoughts, feelings, actions and behaviors “in-stock” (so to speak) that give us our personal best. When we find that our outcomes are not those that lead to living our best life, then it is wise to get to the root of those unwanted habits, and to make required changes to move closer to what we desire.

As with taking inventory in the department store you may need help with your personal inventory. Someone to assist in the categorizing of your thoughts and actions. The objective separating of the thoughts from the actions is sometimes difficult to do alone. With another pair of skilled eyes trained to assist with the task you are able to move more quickly to where you can analyze the data and change the negative outcomes, moving you closer to your best life.

His Grace

Note what you thought about regarding grace. Did any of the references to grace I mentioned come to mind or did something else pop into your thoughts? Taking inventory begins with noting what you have, so note the thoughts you have now about grace.

Part of taking personal inventory is the act of comparing what we find in ourselves to what we find in the word of God, which leads to the best life.

The next part of taking inventory has to do with analyzing what you have found. Review here a bit more about your thoughts about grace. Determine if you can create better outcomes by making different choices; outcomes that lead you to your best life.

Explore the meaning of grace. According to the Merriam Webster dictionary the first definition of grace is as follows:

a :  unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification

b :  a virtue coming from God

c :  a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace

Did any portion of that definition come to your mind as you noted your thoughts about grace? Perhaps missing in your immediate thoughts, or maybe adding to or refreshing what you know about grace will cause your life to change. Grace.

Knowledge is Power

I think that we can all agree that knowledge is power. The power to make choices and even the understanding that choice is an option is empowering. I affirm knowing the full meaning of grace will impact how you see your life. So let us explore what our Maker has to say about grace and how it relates to how we live our lives as He, the Omnipotent, Omniscient, Creator intended. Grace.

Are you “stuck” in a bad situation where you see no visible way out? Possibly your job, a relationship, or stress indicate that changes need to be made, but you don’t think there is a way to balance all that is going on in your life. Are you living your best life? Are you feeling fulfilled or without purpose? Do you see the value of your life? What motivates you from day to day?  Take inventory.

My favorite writer, the Apostle Paul, wrote more books than any other author in the Bible. His words to the various churches of his time, continue to have meaning for us today. In Ephesians chapter one Paul shares much information about God’s “unmerited divine assistance” and “sanctification through divine grace”. Grace.

Before the foundation of the world God planned our forgiveness and redemption from sin. Before our parents conceived us, before we had an evil thought, before we hatched an unloving scheme, God had already lovingly made a plan for our salvation. (See Ephesians 1:4-7.) 

Surely the God who engaged a plan for us before the foundation of the world had the foresight to equip us to carry out His loving will for us as individuals. Certainly He has equipped each of us to make proper use of that grace so abundantly showered upon us! Grace.

As we take inventory we examine how we have been labeled, some labels are untrue and inappropriate. Yet they all are to be examined regularly to provide us with a means by which we are able to determine the best course of action for us to attain best life, as our Creator intended.

By analyzing our lives and measuring our outcomes by His word we are empowered by the riches of His grace to take action to give Him glory! Grace.

Take Inventory. Take Action. Embrace His amazing grace, live your life with mindfulness.

Love,

Deborah

“Lighting the path to loving your neighbor as yourself.”