Place of Grace

I love reality shows.
There, I admit it and I'm not even ashamed of it. But I'm not a hit show reality show kind of girl; I love the obscure, the off-beat, the nutty reality shows.

I don't watch Survivor - too many bugs and weird stuff to eat. I don't watch Big Brother, it just makes me sad. I do watch the Bachelor. I LOVE The Amazing Race and I can't wait for the new season.

Other than these here are some of my lesser known current / recent past favorites:

Groomer Has It - 12 dog groomers wash, cut, and fluff their way through 12 weeks of pet grooming drama. Don't laugh, there was actually some serious cat drama.

Here Come the Newlyweds Show -- seven newly married couples compete for weekly prizes and a shot at the grand prize. I tried to get my newlywed daughter to try out for the show - didn't work. What can you do, you try to raise them right and then they just go off and become responsible and all.

Project Runway - I've watched every season. Nothing like watching someone whip up a ball gown from left over fruit, some scrap metal, and a string of Christmas garland.

Top Chef -Another one I've watched since the very first episode. The whole cooking thing fascinates me and if I had the time.... oh, who am I kidding, if I had the time I'd just read more.

As someone who loves reality shows, I'm always shocked when Reality slaps me in the face. I assume that everyone is truly kind and honest deep down. I want to believe that people don't hurt others on purpose and I tend to forget that people are human - and flawed. Just like me.

When I find myself smack dab in the middle of a reality slap, I try to remember the words Paul wrote in the book of Romans

For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do. Romans 7:19

When I find myself on the receiving end of hurt, I remember that I've hurt people, too. I know just how Paul feels. I struggle. I want to do the right thing and I don't. I want to be all those wonderful Christian attributes - kind, compassionate, merciful, giving, faithful, loving and all the others. Many days, I'm not. I want to do the good, but I end up in the bad. I'm human and flawed. Most days I'm just a mess. I'm blessed because I know I'm saved by grace - and not only saved by grace, but also into grace.

Also through Him, we have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:18

Read that verse again -- into this grace in which we stand -- amazing. We aren't only saved by grace but into grace!

It's in this grace I want to stand. It's in this grace I want to live. It's in this grace I find my reality, I find my reason for being, and it's in this grace I find my sanctuary.

I'll stand in this grace and face reality head on - slaps and all. And in this grace I will find the joy of knowing God and the hope that will sustain me, the hope of the glory of God.

It's an amazing place -- this place of Grace.

Is Reality knocking at your door? Are you facing trials or dealing with struggles? Look to God for the grace to face anything.

Are you standing in the grace that God so freely pours over you?

Remember He has a plan for your life -- stand on this promise and in His grace.


In Him,

Mary




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Mary Snyder was a featured speaker at A Woman Inspired Ministry Online Conference!! Join us at A Woman Inspired to purchase the entire Ministry Online Conference in an mp3 collection!