Surprised by Grace

For the last several weeks I have been dealing with plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot and connects the heel bone to the toes.

This condition causes a stabbing pain that is more pronounced with the very first steps in the morning, or after long periods of standing or being seated.  Once the foot limbers up, the pain usually decreases.

I have used massage, heat, ice, stretching and an interesting taping method to help ease the pain and support my foot.  They do help some, but I was in for a surprise.


Two weeks ago, I had two events in two days which necessitated me wearing high heels.  I expected this to bring on a serious bout of foot pain.  In fact, I was wondering how I was going to manage the activities of those two days gracefully while hurting with every step.

I put on my high heels and as usual, the first steps of the morning were painful.  But after that my feet felt fine.  There were a great many steps taken in that day but I never once thought of pain.  It was as if I had been temporarily cured.  What a great surprise!

So often in our Christian lives we are surprised by the grace the Lord bestows upon us, much as I was surprised by the heels leading to a pain-free day.  God uses our trials and tribulations to stretch and strengthen us as we walk with Him by faith and time after time we are surprised by the grace we find in time of need.  

Our Lord does not intend for us to live a life with Him doling out tiny doses of grace in a miserly fashion.  In fact, just the opposite is true.  He wants to lavishly bestow grace upon us in every situation.  He wants us to know He is "able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us," (Ephesians 3:20.)


We should never hesitate to turn our thoughts toward the Lord, in times of blessing and time of distress because He desires to meet our needs more than we desire them to be met.  He desires us to know His joy, His peace and His love, more than we desire to know them.  He desires us to know Him more than we can ever know.

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, 

that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

 Hebrews 4:16