Grace for the Moment - How God's Word Hit Me Over the Head (With Giveaway!)
Sunday, September 23, 2012 at 5:00AM 
I am always keenly aware of God's hand in my life.
Never was I more aware, however, than I was last week.
It was Monday evening. We were all trying to get out the door for baseball practice and a children's chorus rehearsal. One of my children approached me asking for something they just KNEW they couldn't have.
After I denied their request, the child kept pushing and pushing. I was priding myself on remaining calm (it was HARD TO DO), but after about the 20th time of their requesting (and by requesting I'm putting it nicely) I just SNAPPED.
I got angry, lost my temper, and from there the night was ruined. It was one of the low points in my life as a parent, and I know my child will never forget that night, either.
We arrived home from our activities and went to bed... with prayers said and apologies issued, but the incident was still HEAVY on all of our hearts.
I laid in bed that night and shed tears over the events of that evening. Some days it is just so HARD to be a parent.
I am a work in progress. I am still learning how to freely give grace, and how to love the way God loves me.
The next morning we awoke early and began our homeschool day. At breakfast I sat on the window seat in our kitchen and read the devotion from Grace for the Moment: 365 Devotions for Kids. It was at this point that God got my attention.
Yes, the devotion for that day was entitled "A Heavy Load of Hatred". The verse for the day was:
Do not be bitter or angry or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. ~ Ephesians 4:31
As I read the devotion, my children hung their heads. But when I finished we had a very good discussion about anger and its effects on the people closest to us. I pointed out to them that not only was this in their devotion book for the day, but it was also in MY Grace for The Moment book, also. Adults and children struggle with the SAME issues of the heart -- we have so much in common.
This story is just one example of how Grace for the Moment has been a blessing to our family. (Every resource we receive from Tommy Nelson is a blessing, actually!) It is written by Max Lucado - 365 daily devotions that are written so simply (yet effectively) for children. Both my 7 and 11 year old are benefitting from reading it each day. I am also reading Grace for The Moment (the adult version), which coincides perfectly with my children's book.
You can download a sample of each of the books and take the grace challenge! Feel free to look through this flipbook for yourself, too.
It's so important to study God's word daily. While we have in depth Bible studies we also have simple daily devotions that always give us a nugget of truth, at JUST THE RIGHT TIME. God's amazing like that, isn't he?
I'm happy to be able to offer one reader their very own copy of Grace for The Moment: 365 Devotions for Kids.
To enter is simple: Leave me a comment and tell me of a time when God hit you over the head with His word!
Have you had a particular experience or moment that sticks out in your mind like my "Heavy Load of Hatred" moment? I'd love to hear about it!
This giveaway will be open until Sunday September 30th at midnight.
*Note: If you are wanting to buy the book... I've noticed it is out of stock at Thomas Nelson, but easily available through Amazon. I think it's well worth the $10.87!
*I received this product free of charge in exchange for my honest opinion. I am a proud member of the Tommy Nelson Mommy team!
Reader Comments (19)
Thank you for this post, I, too, lost my temper wtih my children (many times) and feel horrible after. They lose their temper with each other and I try to show them how they are the closest people in each others lives and they should treat each other nicer than they treat anyone else. I also remind myself of this lesson when I recitie it to them!
I am forever needing reminders from Gods word to give grace. I am grateful for the grace extended to me.
Philippians 4:4 when I was so far away from joy...
Mary, I think I could've writtent his post. But God is so gracious, isn't He, to gently lead us back to Him. :-) Lately God has also been working on me and the words I speak in haste to my children.
I love Max Lucado. He knows how to write to kids and adults so well. Count us in!!
As for God hitting me on the head with His Word... he does it every day. But today was a remarkable one... I had just been talking to my husband about some issues and trying to take matters into my own hands, because God is not coming thru fast enough. And today at church the message thru songs and preaching was about trusting and faith and not believing the circumstances. :) thank you Jesus!
With all that's going on in our lives, I've been worrying about everything, not getting enough sleep, and my fuse has been shorter than I care to admit. On our way home from speech therapy this week I noticed our church marquee, which seemed directed right at me. With God there is no reason to worry. Ever. I am thankful for grace-filled conviction. Thanks, Mary, for this wonderful pos!
I have been praying for patience with my kiddos. This post hits close to home and I feel this book could be an answered prayer for those daily moments and gentle reminders from God.
This looks great. The passage for me was James 3:1 the day before we started our school year this year (Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.)
It is so good to hear that I'm not the only mother out there with this problem! God is so gracious though and is really working in me on this issue! My mother used to always tell me "When you ask God for patience be prepared to be tested in a big way!" It certainly is not an easy or short lesson to learn. This sounds like a great devotional book and would love to win it!
I used to carry a lot of hatred but the Lord showed me that forgiving is the best, and now that I have I am able to have a relationship with my parents.
I am daily working on giving grace to my children and letting them know so they can extend it to each other and others. It is a struggle because of issues that I have with not wanting to be where we are and letting that roll over to them and my hubby. This book would be a great addition for us. I try to remember Jeremiah 29:11, my life verse, and know that God has a plan and I don't know it.
One time I was in the kitchen whining to my husband about something he had broken. I hear my 4 yo son's voice from the living room telling me, "Mom, Do all things without complaining or disputing." He was reminding me of the very verse we had learned that week. Ouch!
Please enter me to win. It sounds like a great book!
When doesn't God do this:) We are using We Choose Virtues, and every time I introduce a new virtue/memory verse, I am reminded of how little I display the same traits I expect my kids to have. Reading all of the verses in the Bible that tell us how to act really make me analyze my own lifestyle. Thanks for all of your great posts and for this giveaway.
It is such a blessing that God does this for us, calls us on things so we don't just go on our merry way displeasing him. Thanks for the giveaway.
Wow, this was for today. I guess we each feel like we're trying to do it alone and yet, here are so many examples of women and children who are right there with us. We each need a dose of God's grace each moment. Thanks for the offer!
I homeschool and do devotions with my 4 year old every morning at breakfast. I had been telling my daughter to "hurry up" and she just kept lagging, telling me she was tired. I got upset and she ended up at the table still in pajamas with tears in her eyes. That;s when I opened to our daily devotional and found the words "Love is Patient" wriiten across the top. Well I just wanted to smack myself right there! One of the great things about homeschooling is being able to have a flexible schedule, and here I was telling my daughter to hurry up as if she was going to miss the bus or something. I apologized and gave her a hug and told her we could homeschool in PJ's for the day. We actually had a lot of fun and decided to make every Friday "Pajama Day" as a fun way to close out the week.
i think He hits me over the head multiple times a day.. when i get really frustrated with my 2 yo and then she just smiles and snuggles me or says i love you i think i am reminded most that i must give grace at ALL times
Thanks, Mary. My "Grace for the Moment" in on my bedside table and I read it every night. I am putting the Grace for the Moment for Kids book on the girls' {secret} Amazon Wish List ;-) for Christmas
I feel like I am learning so many virtues as I try to teach them to my children. Great giveaway.