Grace from above

My failings are too numerous to mention
If only I could see myself as You see me
You catch me before I fall
If I look to you and even if I don’t
There is no end to your forgiveness
You keep loving and extending Your hand to me
I try to walk in kindness and mercy
Try to be like You
sometimes when my patience is tried
I realize I am no good at this Lord
I can never be like You
or even like Mother Theresa who dripped love from her every pore
If only I could be better, do better, think better, love better,
then I could be worthy of You
It’s hard to understand that that is not what Grace is about
Grace is about covering sins and misgivings and strengthening
the heart of You within us
I don’t have it down yet
Not sure I ever will
Not sure I will ever understand
how I can be such a wretched soul
and still you forgive,
if I ask
I do ask, dear Lord
Cleanse all that separates me from You
Let me walk in Your love that passes all understanding
Teach me Your ways and to see others as you see them
You say the greatest is love
And if you don’t love, you’re a clanging cymbal or sounding brass
How can I get there?
How can I attain such heights?
To make you smile?
To experience your lovingkindness will be a help,
to receive your sacrifice to heart
and realize that though I bring every gift I could possibly offer,
it would still not be enough
That is Grace, Your Grace
I have been bought and paid for
With the price of life, God’s life
Help me, Jesus, to receive that gift as it is, a precious gift
I am reminded of hidden unforgiveness
that I have in the secret places of my heart
that no one sees but You
If I extend grace to them,
maybe I will understand Your Grace more clearly
Or maybe I need to understand Your Grace more clearly
so that I can extend it to others?
It’s still a puzzle to me,
a gift I need to receive and understand more fully
Let me not take Your Grace for granted
or not extend to others as You have extended it to me
Your strength is made perfect in weakness
I know that scripture well
As it applies to Grace?
Not so sure
It remains a marvel that shows who You are
Who is this who can forgive sins? they asked
Surely not I,
or perhaps my task is to petition You on behalf of them?
I am reminded that vengeance belongs to You.
It is not my place to repay evil with evil.
You do all things well
Let me rest in that,
I won’t try to be You,
but will bring my burdens of unforgiveness before Your throne
Take them Lord and set me free to walk in Your grace