Grace Is Bigger Than Mercy

Daily Gratitude Year 7- Day 327: Today, I am grateful for grace is bigger than mercy. 

We used to place "Bigger, Better, Best" with the teens at youth group. You take an item and attempt to trade it for something "Bigger, Better or Best". The game is a so much fun and even the boys love a good trading game. You never know what you will end up bringing back for the final judging. When all the groups return, a judge decides which group brought the best trade home. 

This quote from Max Lucado made me think of that game:  "The difference between mercy and grace? Mercy gave the Prodigal Son a second chance. Grace gave him a feast." 

So many times we don't realize our blessings until we have traded them for something else. The something we want  may or may not be better. 

The Prodigal Son longed for freedom and control of his inheritance. His immaturity and impulsive behaviours found him eating with pigs instead of living the good life in a few short years. The money wasted away was only a memory. But, love took him back. Not because he was worthy, but because his father's love was bigger than his mistakes. That parable is very humbling.

None of us is worthy, but His love is bigger than our sins. His love covers our sins and promises us a feast. 

How often do we waste our days... longing for something "Bigger, Better or Best"... only to discover that we have wasted the joy in this day?  Today is the day to do some "recalculating" as my GPS would say. Count the blessings and embrace the trials, because the journey is not over and the best is yet to come. 

Today, I am grateful for grace is bigger than mercy.