"Grace and glory He bestows..."

It’s easy to forget that there is a race to be won. We are each in the thick of it.

Were we not, we wouldn't need these reminders. Reminders that we must labor, and toil, and strive towards the goal. We wouldn't need to be reminded of the importance of sincerity of heart, and humility, if the reality of our state was not what it is.

But we do not naturally spring into action in the spiritual battle, we do not naturally remove our own planks before picking at each other's splinters - our husband's, our parent's, our children.

When I honestly encounter myself in this way, seeing my defects clearly, my knee jerk reaction is to feel a deep shame and worthlessness even. Because I trip up and veer off course so very much.

But, consider how tender this Love is, to remind us of our tendencies. What a tender Love to remind us that He sees us, and He knows us.

And, nestled there in the middle of these (sometimes harrowing) reminders, is this beautiful Psalm that gently sings - Grace and Glory He bestows. I can just hear Him say it - 'Little one, I have all you need." And He will give it to us so that we can run, so that we can take up this charge, so that we can raise up these souls, so that pride can be conquered, so that we can pick up and start again. These reminders are not meant to crush us, they are meant to show us the Light again. Over and over again.

St Paul doesn't dumb things down for us - because we have to know, we have to know that we must pick back up and fight. But this battle must be met with the clarity of His true love for us, His desire to give us what we need to carry on, and His promise to do it.

Blythe Fike is the wife of Kirby and mother of 5 smallish kids. She homeschools and loves the quiet life in small town SoCal. You can find out more about her here.