Lord how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? (Mt,18:21 b, NIV)

My spirit is troubled. LST dropped a bombshell by way of conversation, announcing that she had left the faith. This past year, I’ve been lifiting her up in prayer like she was a non believer. I guess my spirit knew but my eyes refused to accept the signs. Still, the confirmation direct from the horse’s mouth, left me dazed. I was in remorse the whole day-shaken, frightened and defeated.

Lord, you who are a God of covenant
Who keeps to your side of the promise
I pledge today before You
To stop asking to see your punishment
Upon those who have torn my name to smithers
With lies and distorted truths
Who slander my name with vindictiveness
I wipe off their account
The abacus is at zero
They owe me nothing now
In exchange, I beg You
To restore LST’s faith
To touch her heart and spirit
Once more, with your love and grace
In your mercy, forgive her sins
May your angels minister to her spirit
May she see your hand of grace
In every adversity
And know that she worships
A God who is alive and who cares
In Jesus’ most precious Name
Amen

For it is by grace, you have been saved, through faith..Eph 2:8 a

Today, I'm reminded of God's grace to me from the time, I believed in Him, three decades or more ago. One incident stands out clearly, illustrating His grace to me. It took place in my early twenties, when I joined a group tour to the East coast. I was playing by the edge of the beach but before I realized it, the people on the beach looked to me like puppets. I realized that I had somehow, drifted far out to Fear, alarm overcame me! I swam with all my strength back to the beach, swallowing tons of salt water from the South China Sea in the process.
I wasn't a Christian then, A week later, I read in the papers that a skin specialist from the University Hospital, an expert swimmer had drowned in the same spot.
When I finally believed in Jesus Christ, my eyes were opened to His grace, extended to me, even before I knew Him.

Lord, You are so gracious
Even when we don't deserve it
You give wealth to the righteous and wicked
You suffer our disobedience and impudence
You suffer our sins which are dirty rags in your sight
You continue to shower your grace on mankind
Even when we are hostile to you

Like the father waiting for the prodigal son
You wait for us to return to your bosom
Where we can find comfort and rest
Protection from the storms of life

Ah Lord, that you may give me a portion of your grace
To show to those who don't deserve it
Grace that comes not from self
But from the enabling of the Holy Spirit