None of us ever want to fall from grace.
I may earnestly seek the favor of God, but I especially hope for the favor and respect of all who know me.
Pride suggests that I can be sinless and successful in every endeavor, and that others can, too. It also insists that I be appreciated for my good efforts 100% of the time. This can only end one way, and always does – with great suffering, humility, and soul trouble.
I am not perfect, and neither am I successful at everything I put my hands to. There are not enough minutes in the day for you to fill my craving for esteem. As surely as the next wave comes to shore, so I will regularly fall from the good graces of man: I’ll never live up to your expectations for me, and you will never live up to mine.
Truth be told, I will never be able to live up to the expectations I have for myself, even today.
Here’s more truth: I will sorely disappoint you, and be disappointed by you. I will disappoint myself to the point of despair. This is good news.
Who can straighten what he has made crooked? (Nehemiah)
But, my Heavenly Father draws straight lines with crooked sticks. We do not disappoint him. He expects nothing of me but to trust him, and to thank him. A child of God can’t fall from his grace – she can only fall into it.
The end of the matter is better than the beginning. (Ecclesiastes)
Our Father, through Jesus, has started a good work in you and yours. Do we trust him in the fray, in the heat, in the dark, on the uphill? He is faithfully working all things in this life (even our trouble) for the good of all those he loves.
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans)
Peace, as you trust in the trouble,
Kim
Given Breath 
Oh my…right on the heels of my whining to my son for what I considered a “slight”. Thank you for this reminder that my “sensitivity” is wrongly labeled by me. It’s sin…ouch. Thank you God for all of your gentle reminders.
Kim, I’m so glad that you’re back online..am I wrong or have you been not as active here? Careful now..don’t hurt my precious feelings! haha
Love and blessings….
I love “But, my Heavenly Father draws straight lines with crooked sticks.” Such a great truth. Thank you Kim.
the greatest surprise has been the peace we here have felt in the midst of great trouble, because we do trust.
LOVE that last photo!
Ben, I have a wise friend who always uses that phrase. I love it, too.
Amen!
Wonderful reminder, Kim. I needed it today. Thank you! XO Jen
One of my favourite sayings is that “God hits it straight, even with a crooked stick”. Directly translated from my native Afrikaans, but it means the same as what you said. Drawing straight lines with crooked sticks. It always brings me comfort, thank you for the reminder today. 🙂