A Taste Of Grace...And A Good Book To Check Out

My boss, Sharon, and I decided to read a book together back in Novemeber to discuss weekly over some dripolater coffee goodness. Seeing how it is March and we just finished, you can tell it's been a crazy couple months. However, the book was fantastic, and I totally recommend it. It is called "The Prodigal God" by Timothy Keller. This book is a good read if you need a little bit of redefinition of God's grace in your life and need a healthy soul check up.

The author bases the book off of a the well known parable of the prodigal son. Except, he does not focus on the younger son messing up then returning to the father....he focuses on the bad attitude and pharisee type attitude of the older brother. Hearing the story of the prodigal son in church growing up, I never once thought about the older brother. The parable isnt taught in a way that brings attention to him. However, the author points out how the older brother has just as big of a problem as the younger brother. Some may ask, "why? the older brother isnt the one who demanded his inheritance early, left, then squandered all of his riches!". That's exactly the mentality that makes the older brother just as spritually in trouble as the younger brother. You will have to read it to see why! (I actually wrote out a little summary...but erased it..I dont want to spoil it for you!)

But, I will tell you some things I learned from reading this book. I took a lot away about grace. I was reminded that grace is not cheap. Grace that the Lord gives to us is undoubtably free and is received from no doing of our own, BUT it came at a cost. The cost of Jesus dying on the cross. We can't earn grace and we don't deserve it, but it is given. It got me thinkng how we are called to extend grace to others. It is harder then it sounds sometimes. If there is no such thing as cheap grace...and it is free to who we are giving it to...then there must be a cost on our end. Forgiveness and mercy always require some kind of sacrifice. A good example is if someone stole from you (whether it be a material object or pieces of your heart...you decide). If you show that person true grace and forgive them...they owe you nothing anymore. You dont require your necklace back, any of your wasted time back, or any kind of apologies after you have truly extended grace. It's finished. Was it free?..sure for them. It came at a cost to you though...financially, mentally, emotionally, spiritually...whatever. But you do it becuase that is grace. There is no cheap grace. But that should remind us and identify us with Christ and the sacrifice He made so we could have grace and be forgiven.

Also, a prerequisite for receiving and giving grace is knowing you need it. Lately, grace has been blowing my mind!! I have some sweet blessings in my life which I know I did nothing to deserve (believe me, not one thing did I do). Yet, why does the Lord continue to bless and provide for me? Merciful grace. Ugh..just makes me speechless. I hope my heart understands that His grace is enough for me and that I need it daily!

Anyway..the book is a good quick little read..despite how long it took me and Sharon to read. So, definitely give it a read!