Monday Moments for Mom

Week 3

It's been for-evah since I posted a MMM so if you'd like to check out Weeks 1 and 2 feel free.

The Power of a Positive Mom Devotional and Journal by Karol Ladd

The Grace Challenge

Key Scripture: Leviticus 19:16-18

Do not spread slanderous gossip among your people. Do not try to get ahead at the cost of your neighbor's life, for I am the Lord. Do not nurse hatred in your heart for any of your relatives. Confront your neighbors directly so you will not be held guilty for their crimes. Never seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.

Mom's Reflection:
With thousands of Israelites trudging together through an unknown wilderness, a plan for civility was essential. The people had a long way to go, and they would never make it to the Promised Land if they turned on one another. So in the book of Leviticus, God provided laws for dealing with both people and circumstances. As you can see from the brief passage we just quoted, those laws of civility and decency were not always easy to follow. Yet if we as mothers were to employ even a few of these laws in our relationships today, we would be so much better for it.

As Christians, of course, we are no longer under the rule of Levitical law; we are under grace, thanks to Christ's sacrifice on the cross for us. As recipients of God's glorious grace, then we ought to be showering grace on others in turn. And what does grace toward others look like? It looks like today's passage. Guarding our mouths from gossip, forgiving, not holding grudges-all of these are practical ways we can shed God's grace on the people around us. Let's teach out kids, through our words and example, to reflect on the goodness of God's wonderful grace and, in turn, to offer that grace to others.

A Few Thoughts:

• In what ways do I need to show God's grace towards others in my life?
• This week I will choose to focus on God's great love and grace toward me.
• This week I will choose to show grace toward others.
• This week I will choose to ask God's help in guarding my heart and mind.
• This week I will choose to....

Prayer:

"God of grace and mercy, thank you for pouring your grace on me through the sacrifice of your Son. I praise you that through faith in Jesus, I am forgiven. Help me now to forgive others. Guard my mouth from gossip and my heart from grudges. Teach me to be a conduit of your grace, so that grace flows freely through me to my family members and all other people in my life. Thank you for your Word and the direction it gives for living and loving in grace. In Jesus's name I pray, amen"

I praise the Lord that HE does not hold grudges. Oh what trouble I would be in if every time I wronged Him, He turned His back to me and ignored me. I praise Him that He pours His grace on me - every DAY, every HOUR, every MINUTE. I pray that I will be a reflection of His grace toward others, and especially that I will be able to set an example for my children!