Today was a good day — but then what Friday is not a good day!  I was able to get some work done,  celebrated a friend’s 50th birthday, and participated in a moving, live stations of the cross.  I feel accomplished and satisfied.    The Bible opened tonight to Ephesians:

You were dead in your transgressions and sins in which you once lived following the age of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the disobedient.  All of us once lived among them in the desires of our flesh, following the wishes of the flesh and the impulses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like the rest.  But God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ (by grace you have been saved), raised us up with him, and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.  For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so no one may boast.  For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them.

Ephesians 2: 1-10

I am reminded of God’s grace, that allows me to do all things.  I am God’s handiwork.  And you are God’s handiwork.  We are both perfectly made.  We are made for good works.  Everything around us is God’s creation, who am I to boast?  Except to boast in the Lord, who truly is almighty and amazing.  Would that I could show one ounce of the love he pours out on us.  Showering us with it every second.  The greatest works on earth, the greatest accomplishments, the greatest day — are but a fleck of dust compared to all that God can do.  And yet, I believe He delights in what we do.  Smiles with us at our happiness, and beams when we do good.  (And I think He laughs at us —  just a bit — when we forget where we come from.)

I am also reminded of one of the powerful truths.  I can not earn my way into heaven — I do not have the power or authority to achieve a spot.  It is only by God’s grace that we are saved.  Thankfully he freely gives us this gift!  As much as I would love to win this with something I have done,  to feel the power (I guess) of accomplishing this, I am grateful for the gift — because I know despite my desire, that I am not worthy or strong enough to earn it on my own.  It is comforting knowing that I don’t have to do it all on my own.  Instead all I have to do is have faith that God will provide me with the grace I need, sufficient grace.

Thank you God for providing us with your grace.  All that I am, I owe to you.  I desperately want to be the being that you want me to be.  Provide me with the strength and grace to know the path. May all of my boasts be in you.  All of my pride be in you and in being your child.  Guide me please (and give me the grace to follow).