The Trace of Grace

Have you ever had a desire or been in the market for something, and you suddenly begin to notice it everywhere?
A cute pair of shoes, a specific car model, a new hairstyle— suddenly that thing is everywhere!

Right now my husband and I are getting ready to purchase a house, and I swear everywhere I look, I see “For Sale” signs whereas, two months ago, I wouldn’t have noticed!

Why? Because I’m looking.

The past few months have been incredibly challenging for our family as we transition through seasons of life. There have been days I’ve felt so heavily overwhelmed with responsibilities, and then there are days I feel so inadequately equipped for it all. Often it feels like being out in the battlefield for days on end, without a break.

Seasons like these can make even minor irritations seem so big and frustrating. It’s so easy to get caught up in the “little things” that I miss God’s hand in my life.

One thing God has taught me to do in times such as these is to trace His fingerprints of grace in the everyday moments.

They’re subtle-- you have to be “in the market” for them… but they’re there.

They’re not quick, obvious answers to prayer, but rather small, almost unnoticeable, daily gifts that remind you God is there, and He cares.

Today, after long hours of dishing food to my kids, cranking out some work, and fighting my toddler through the grocery store, I decided I needed an afternoon pick-me-up. I rolled into the drive-thru, ordered my favorite coffee, then pulled up to the window. You can imagine my surprise and delight as the barista informed me the lady in front of me in line had paid for my order. I cried.

That’s when I saw it. The trace of grace.

Just when I was feeling worn-down, war-torn and forgotten, there it was: a reminder of God’s attention and care to the little details of my life.

It’s not always coffee (though often I wish it was!)--

Sometimes it’s the kind smile or grace-filled words of a stranger as I struggle through the store, my three kids hanging off my cart like a tribe of monkeys.

Other times it’s an opened door or a “Can I help you with that?” as I attempt to juggle toddler, purse, diaper bag, and coffee mug into church.

Sometimes it’s looking in the rear-view mirror and seeing my oldest holding his sister’s hand, gently stroking her hair.

Other times it’s a timely text from a friend.

No matter what it looks like-- I have to be looking intentionally for it to notice that it’s there.

The demands and stresses of motherhood make it easy to get caught in a net of negativity. We begin to focus on everything going wrong and fail to see everything that is right because we’re not looking for it.

It’s time to turn on the radar. We need to recognize these sweet moments as God’s grace in our lives and pause, or “Selah” (a fancy Bible word basically meaning, “think on that”).

God has promised that He will never leave us. He cares for us more than “many sparrows,” enough to know the very number of hairs on our heads! He has promised us grace for every situation and each task that presents itself.

Let’s be sure to be intentional about noticing His fingerprints of grace in our lives today--
In the middle of the madness let’s pause long enough to take notice, think on them and thank on Him.

 
Word of the Day:
“From His abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.” John 1:16

Prayer:
Lord, forgive me for not looking for your hand in my life. I see now the little ways you have been with me all along, giving me grace upon grace for the journey. Help me to trace your fingerprints of grace throughout today, instead of getting caught in a net of negativity. Thank you for your loving care. In Your Name, Amen.


Author: Katie Gibson

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