Overview:
Shewanda Riley, author of "Love Hangover" and "Writing to the Beat of God's Heart," writes about the importance of relying on God's grace instead of human-made plans. She uses the story of Ruth in the Old Testament to illustrate how God's grace can surprise us and allow things to happen in the way He intended. Riley encourages readers to approach God's throne of grace with confidence, receive mercy, and find grace to help them in their time of need. She also reminds us that letting go of our plans means accepting and making room for God's grace, and trusting in God's plan as well as receiving unexpected blessings, protection, and favor.
“Have a Grace Day!” was a small word of encouragement that I texted to a friend a few years ago. I actually meant to send “Have a great day” but thought it was a “sign” when “great” autocorrected to “grace.” However, I realize that having a “grace” day might mean not following my original plans.
I’ll admit that I like things organized and am a planner. I always have a plan for my day with plan A (the best one) and plan B (the backup plan when plan A fails). For example, I always watch the traffic and weather on the news in the morning, so I can make sure I plan for the sun, cold, rain, etc. Plan B for me is to always keep an umbrella and jacket in my car just in case my plan A doesn’t work out. It makes a lot of sense to my mind that likes to be prepared for just about anything. I’ll admit it can sometimes be sometimes stressful planning so much, but it works for me…for now.
But what happens when Plans A and B don’t work out? That’s why there is plan G. The G stands for God’s grace. Over the years, I have learned that sometimes plans A, B, C, etc. don’t work and it’s sometimes a good thing. Having to rely on plan G (God’s Grace), means that I stop putting some much faith in my man-made (or woman made) plan and start relying more on the Grace of God. I’ve also learned over the years that even though we have the best intentions planning things out, sometimes planning things out leaves little room for God’s wonderful grace to surprise us and allow things to happen in the way that He intended.
For example, I think the story of Ruth in the Old Testament is a good illustration of Plan G. Chapter 1 of Ruth describes how after Ruth was widowed and the original plan was for her to return to her family. However, Plan G went into effect, and she was determined to stay with her mother-in-law Naomi. Staying with her mother-in-law seemed odd because Naomi did not have another son for Ruth to marry. But God had another plan, and it was all about his grace showing up in Ruth’s life. As the chapter continues, Ruth remarries Boaz, her wealthy kinsman redeemer, and gives birth to Naomi’s grandchild who ends up being King David’s grandfather, Obed.
This story reminds us of the truth in Hebrews 4:16 which encourages “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” This story also reminds us that letting go of our plans (and desire to control everything) means accepting and making room for Plan G (God’s grace). This also allows us to trust in God’s plan as well as receive unexpected blessings, protection, and favor.
Shewanda Riley is a Dallas, Texas based author of “Love Hangover: Moving from Pain to Purpose After a Relationship Ends” and “Writing to the Beat of God’s Heart: A Book of Prayers for Writers.” Email her at preservedbypurpose@gmail.com or follow her on Instagram @shewandawrites.