THROUGH THE LENS OF GRACE

This right here is a post I wrote on my wall a few days back…

“I am probably going to be hated for saying this but for real it has to be addressed. It is sad and rather painful that of late, the trend has been, to celebrate more Baby showers BEFORE we celebrate Bridal showers. Where did we go wrong?”

It doesn’t take a one-on-one appointment to have someone open up about their past. Try make a statement in relation to it and you will probably witness a side to them you never thought existed. It will then dawn on you that not everyone who has a glimmering smile on their face, a drop-dead gorgeous body and attractive personality, has been like that from the beginning.   There’s been a growing trend of more baby showers before bridal showers. Many have said its normal, others have said it’s worrying; others have insisted it’s the last days and we need to repent and turn from our wicked ways. In as much as I agreed, I was convinced I hadn’t yet received an appropriate answer. Not long ago after receiving feedback, a friend of mine shared this with me...

“I’m glad they get to do the baby showers. It would be sadder if they walked down the aisle as ‘virgins' yet coz of fear they had to abort. Baby showers are not the issue... How many who've liked this post and commented above can confess to be dating in purity? That’s where it starts. Let babies be born and let those who've been GIVEN the Grace to stand do so with an awareness that it's all about GRACE.  It takes a very strong and brave woman to carry a pregnancy to term outside wedlock. Condemn the sin that starts when you kiss and catch rubs while dating; condemn watching porn that pollutes the mind, condemn masturbation....that's where the problem starts.....but LEAVE a woman who knowing the stigma that awaits her coz of an untimely pregnancy CHOOSES the high road of keeping and nurturing a precious soul for 42 long weeks instead of abortion....namwano it's grace that can keep you from being part of that statistic you are talking about....ONLY GRACE!!!!”

Today, my heart bleeds, for the many that have yielded to victimization of having to be a mother before a bride. I don’t want to act all perfect because among they that have been brave but foolish enough to point fingers sadly… is me… (I confess so that I may be healed)

More often than not our mouths are quick to critique and our minds are far from taking time to think. More often than not, we speedily employ ourselves as judges of other people’s mistakes forgetting that we too are far from perfect.

Listen, if you are not willing to take the victim’s hand, hold them and walk with them through their journey then don’t be quick to raise and wiggle your fingers at them if you have never walked a mile in their shoes. If you’re not willing to give that message of encouragement, then let thy mouth be sealed until thy heart is flowing with springs of living water that will give life and not death.  Pointing out your neighbors faults doesn’t make you any more of a saint. If the presence of God doesn’t flow through you to reach out and touch their hearts, slow down in stabbing your knife right through a painful wound. Be a channel of healing not an agent of detriment.

We all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory and that dear friend includes you; you who has one time or another felt like you are immune to such happenings. Think of the times of the times God has been patient with you. Think of the times He has been gracious to you… then try and put yourself in the shoes of that person whom you’ve scorned. The one you made a topic of discussion like a student doing a research paper to get a good grade. You were good at it right? But did that change the situation for the better? If you were in her position, what would you have wanted others to do for you? How would you have wanted them to perceive you in your current state? Think about it, and think about it keenly. Truth is you are not immune at all. It is the GRACE of God that has sustained you thus far.

So to that dear lady, that has stood the test of time, through the shame, the pain and anguish and the attack from society, today I salute you. I rightfully give you a standing ovation. From today, I choose to applaud you. It takes courage and above all the grace of God to walk the ‘walk of shame’ and still hold your head high. Thank you for taking the chance to spread out brave wings and fly. 

On behalf of the many that have scolded at you, including those of us you thought loved you, I apologize and plead for your forgiveness and hereby follow the instructions given by God himself in Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.” I “commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:32).

This one thing I should let you know that should encourage you, 1 Peter 5:10 “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”

You are no longer a victim but a victor; AND If God can love you anyway, so can I and I will.

Let us all then remember, we only stand because of the grace of God. So the next time you are quick to think “Thank God I am not her”, I pray your spirit is stirred up quickly to utter a prayer and say, “Father, May your grace abound in my sister’s life as it has to me”.

©namwano