Happy New Year!
This blog's name has changed. It's gone from "Publicly Assisted" to "Grace. Lavished." There is no relation to the new year or resolutions. I wanted to change the name for a while (but struggled). "Publicly Assisted" was previously chosen because of the stigma that comes with assistance and welfare. You are fooling yourself if you truly believe that any of the successes you have in life are gained solely from the fruits of your labor. You didn't birth yourself. Nor did you teach yourself to speak. You may have put the hard work in to earn so much of what you have, but there are other factors that contribute to your success. Sure, you worked hard on your resume and aced the job interview but it's up to the employer whether or not to hire you. Things happen the way they're meant to, not always how you want them to.
Then comes grace. I try to remind my children of what grace and mercy are and how we are to give them freely to others. Mercy is when something you deserve is withheld. Being pardoned of wrongdoing instead of punished. Forgiven. Grace is much like it. Grace is receiving something you didn't deserve. God lavishes us with grace. He continues to do so before we even think to acknowledge his existence.
This goes beyond assistance. This is life. Abundantly. Something you can't earn. Something you'll never be worthy of, yet he just keeps on giving.
It is scientifically proven that having a heart of gratitude yields a positive outlook on life and a truly happy lifetime. Realizing your shortcomings and maximizing your thankfulness creates a more kind and less selfish you. You'll realize that you have so much, instead of being greedy and jealous of others. Open your eyes to the grace being poured out on you all day every day.
Life is not fair. If it were, we wouldn't be allowed to have it at all.
"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight" ~Eph 1:7-8
