Just Call Me Grace
But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6 (NKJV)
The first time I visited Florida, I was in my 40s somewhere. I found myself sitting beside a river, relaxing and reading a book. All of a sudden, there was a loud splash and what sounded like water from the blowhole of a whale…or at least a dolphin. I was a little spooked when this huge creature crested the water. I truly did not know what I was looking at and I felt fear. Quickly I got up, put everything in the car and sat there panting. What was I seeing? It had to be some kind of freak of nature. No, it was the docile mammal called a manatee. Deb Kastner (All God’s Creatures) writes about her first experience with these gentle giants.
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My husband, Joe, and I live in landlocked Colorado, so it was a special treat for us to visit Belize on a cruise. We decided to tool around on a motorboat on the clear blue water as one of our excursions. The sea spray, the wind in my hair, and the speed of the boat were exhilarating, but perhaps the best part was when we saw signs indicating a manatee swimming area. The skipper of the boat turned the motor down to a trolling speed to keep the animals safe—and to allow us the opportunity to catch sight of the lovely creatures.
The skipper instructed us to watch for snouts sticking out of the water as manatees are mammals and breathe the air. I was so delighted that after our cruise, I went home and immersed myself in manatee discovery via online videos and nature shows to watch how incredibly graceful these huge, lumbering sea creatures are when in their natural habitat underneath the water. It blew my mind that at thirteen to fifteen feet and 3,500 pounds, an animal could look that good.
Compare this to me trying to walk up a flight of stairs. Sure, I’ve occasionally seen people slip and fall down stairs, but it takes real talent to trip up the stairs. My mother used to laugh when I did something like that and say, “Just call me Grace.”
While I may not be as graceful as a manatee, I do know where to turn to ask for more grace in life. Whether I’m wishing for more physical grace after tripping up the stairs or more emotional or spiritual grace during difficult times, Jesus is always there to uplift me.
Lord, thank You for the grace You anticipate on my behalf in every day and every way I need it. AMEN.