After growing up as the compliant, follow-the-rules kind of girl, I’ve arrived at late adulthood with a deep desire for grace, to understand God’s grace, to experience it, and to give grace to others.

It’s funny, not humorous funny, but odd funny, how when God is teaching you something He comes at you from a dozen different directions: scripture, people you encounter, podcasts, books you read, sermons, daily devotional articles, as well as other more unusual angles.

About a year ago our Sunday women’s class studied boundaries. At the end, I realized that I, we, probably needed to balance that out with some grace. It’s much too easy to set boundaries with harsh tones and heavy-handedness, but much harder to do it with grace. Thus began a journey of me seeking Grace and God tossing it in my face almost daily.

After scouring the online Christian bookstores I ordered four books on grace and have been reading them slowly this year. God began His work. He started pricking my conscience at every un-grace-filled behavior, word, or attitude I had. He randomly dropped into my life grace scriptures, grace podcasts, grace quotes on kitchen towels, a new friend named Grace, and a great little gift book from a friend on Grace and Truth…and then came the UPS debacle.

On the 4th of July, my husband stumbled upon an online sale at our favorite clothing store. We were planning a short trip for just us and the grandkids right before school started back, so he ordered a few things and suggested I do the same. I found time to do that later in the day – so we had two separate orders coming in about a week.

My husband’s order was delivered right on time, but I got an update that mine was delayed. I eagerly checked the tracking number each day for over a week. I looked at the doorstep every time I drove up to our home. Nothing. I had been so excited. After dropping a few pounds since last summer it was exciting to think of adding something new to the wardrobe!

After another week with no new updates coming I called customer service only to find that my order couldn’t be located. Sigh. So what then? The UPS guy suggested we file a claim.

I was sure they would locate my precious clothes. So once again I looked at the doorstep and checked the tracking info. Still nothing.

It was then I began praying.

Father, I know this is a stupid thing to pray over, but I do need something to wear that fits, and I really liked what I picked out. Could you just let it show up? But if it doesn’t, I choose to be content either way.

Another week passed. I got a notice that the claim was closed. I wouldn’t be getting what I ordered. I resolved to call on that Monday to see what I needed to do to have my money reimbursed. I must admit, I was sad. Content with what God had allowed, but disappointed.

When I called on Monday, and gave the lady my name and order number, she said, “Oh yes, we’re sorry. UPS could not deliver because your address label had gotten damaged so that they didn’t know where to send it. Let me see if we have all these in stock and we will ship you a new box.”

At that moment God decided to give me a grace gift. A silly little temporal trinket of clothing I had chosen. Nothing holy or wise or necessarily godly. Just something I desired. He was going to make a way. As the lady typed in each number she commented, “Yes, we have that still in stock in your size.” Only one was unavailable, but they had it in another color which worked! In His grace, God chose to show me His kindness and love by giving me something I wanted.

I immediately thought of several verses:

Luke 11:13 – If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

James 1:17 – Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Romans 8:32 – He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Ephesians 1:3 – Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Every gift. Not just the spiritual gifts, but every gift comes to us because of God’s grace: that house you live in, that job, that car… . He is generous and kind and loving in His giving. He gives and blesses us with every spiritual blessing, but also with daily kindnesses and physical blessings. God’s grace is abundant! It is prodigal – He always overdoes it in the giving! And His gifts are Grace-gifts; they are given not as a reward or a payment, but just because He loves us so. As we learn to see these Grace-gifts for what they are, may we first be grateful. But second, may we come to live lives that overflow with abundant grace to others. As writer Max Lucado calls it – let us live Grace-Shaped lives!