Today is my birthday. I’ve received many wonderful gifts over my 57 years, but the best gift I ever received is the grace the Lord has showered over me every.single.day! “And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Cor. 9:14-15)

And even beyond that, I have been blessed to understand that giving grace to others is a gift itself. I don’t always have within myself to give that grace, but I do in the power of Jesus. “I always thank my God for you because of His grace given you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Cor. 1:4) And what I’ve learned is the more grace I give to others and the more I allow myself to open my heart, the more love and grace I receive.

Today I am thankful for the grace I have received from the Lord, and I am even more thankful that because of Him I am able to love others. The gift of love is the best gift there is! “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)  Lord, thank you for the opportunities you continue to give me to share your love with others, thereby shining your light into their hearts!