Language Lab: What Is “grace”? - The One Year Mother-Daughter Devo
Language Lab: What Is “Grace”?
Bible Blast: Read Romans 6:14-16
Since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! Romans 6:15
Grace is one of the most powerful words you’ll ever encounter. It means “joy, favor, acceptance . . . a favor done without expectation of return. Unearned and unmerited favor.” Those definitions are big, fancy words for getting something that we don’t deserve.
One of my favorite stories is about a girl who was really, really bad during church one Sunday. (And her dad was the pastor!) Twila was disrespectful and made noise on purpose, just to be bad. Her mom drove her straight home after church and sat her on the porch. Twila knew she would be in big trouble when her dad got home. She waited for what seemed like forever. And then he came.
“Twila,” said her dad. “Get in the car.” She obeyed.
He drove without saying a word, and she was scared. She knew she deserved a big punishment, but where could he be taking her? They stopped at the grocery store. He took her inside and bought the biggest package of Tootsie Rolls you’ve ever seen. They were Twila’s favorite candy of all time.
They drove home in silence. Then her dad took her back to the porch where he opened the bag of candy.
“I want to share these Tootsie Rolls with you, Twila,” said her dad. “Come over here and sit closer to me so we can enjoy them together.”
After munching for a long time, her dad said, “Twila, I want you to remember this. Today you were bad and you deserved a punishment, but instead I decided that because I love you, I would get you Tootsie Rolls. That’s what God calls grace. He gives us something we don’t deserve.”
God’s grace is much bigger than any sin you will ever commit. He sent his Son to die on the cross for your sins, and he is always ready to forgive you when you ask for his forgiveness. And the grace God gives us is always better than Tootsie Rolls!
Girl Gab: Mom, share a time when you really experienced God’s grace—when he gave you something you didn’t deserve. Daughter, tell your mom what you think grace is. Then, thank God for his grace.
