Lessons in Grace: Part One

I finally and officially finished grad school this week with a masters degree in counseling. For our final paper we wrote about what we learned through our internship experience. As I wrote mine I realized it all came back to one word...grace. 

I can still picture myself that first day of class, clutching books to my chest, staring nervously at other students, wondering what might be ahead. It feels like yesterday. It feels like a lifetime ago. In reality, it has been four and a half years.

In many ways, it seems like I know now even less then I did then. But one thing is for certain—I am not the same person I was when I began. God used this experience to shape and grow me personally, professionally, and spiritually in ways I didn’t expect. Here is a little of what He has taught me.

Lesson One: Receiving Grace Brings Healing

  

I long believed following the letter of the law was thought to be the way to wholeness. While I had shed much of that by the time I entered the counseling program perhaps a bit remained—at least the fear that if you let people have too much grace they will abuse it.

I began, tentatively at first, to offer my clients bits of grace. Those women, so hungry for what God had to offer, devoured them ravenously. So I offered more. And as they ate their fill, something strange happened. They began to heal, to love God more, to reach out to others, and soon we were done. It shocked and thrilled me.

The clients I witnessed the most dramatic life-changes in were those who got a firm hold on grace by the time our sessions ended. And I, too, have found that this has spilled over into who I am as a person and counselor. I went into practicum believing in grace from a theological standpoint. I finished believing grace to be one of the essential parts of healing for all people, regardless of where they are (or are not) in their faith journeys.

I believe God offered grace not just to save us from our sins but also from ourselves. Our legalism, perfectionism, trying too hard to be good does as much harm as rebellion. If someone had said this to me before I began my internship I would have disagreed. But after working with about 50 women I can tell you it's true.

Grace is frightening because it requires giving up control. It also requires humility and childlike faith. Grace is thought to be easy but it's hard, so very hard. It's much simpler to try to fix ourselves than to place our hearts in God's hands just as they are.

But when we do, our "work" ends and His begins...and we are never the same.

Comments

[Lori Hoeck]

"Grace is frightening because it requires giving up control."
Powerful lessons and great way of explaining them! Thank you.

[Kerry]

Thank you, Holley. All prayers are such a comfort. I will be back to read further.
Kerry

[jane hsu]

amen amen amen. congratulations holley! His grace is sufficient!!! always...

[Fiona]

Congratulations on finishing your Masters!! That's huge - hope you do something to celebrate.
I love that we are all works in progress...no one is 'there' yet. I love learning more and more about Grace.

[Linda]

Holley, your words always do go straight to my heart. It has taken me a life-time to learn the lessons you have so succinctly written here. In fact, I still struggle with that need to be good enough, the need for the approval of others and especially the Lord. But grace.....truly it is the healing balm, if only we will allow ourselves to receive it in its fullness.
I do love visiting with you.

[Amy]

Congratulations, Holley on your amazing accomplishment! What a joy it must be to finally see one chapter come to a close, and a new one begin. I love the work you are doing at (in)courage!! Thank you for your very kind and thoughtful comment on my blog.
Wonderful, freeing words you've just shared on grace. He does want to do so much more than just extend His grace, even though it's enough. He wants to see that transforming work of His Spirit working in our lives.
Blessings, Amy

[Linda L.]

Something that often stands out to me is that grace cannot be stored up for future needs. Grace is something, in a sense like manna, which is given to us as we need it when we need it. The grace I will need tomorrow is not here tonight. The Giver of Grace is with me not matter what day or what hour. I have the grace I need tonight and then as I need grace tomorrow I can trust God to provide it for me at that moment and in the measure I need. He gives more grace,
Linda

[Maria Jones-Davidson]

Holley, what an enlightenment about grace you've just expounded to us through your experience over the years until now. Imagine if we were just to live based on the law alone, even the law is also very good, I don't think humanity will survive but because the Lord came and offered grace not just to sinners but also to weary ones. Now we can truly praise God for what He's done because of grace! Thank you for the beautiful lessons you've learned, passing them on to us and the lesson on grace and how true it is in its application. Congratulations also to your great endeavor, finishing well to the end, Well done is a phraseology the Lord will say . .. ! ! ! God bless you Holley and Lots of Love,

Maria xx

[~Grace & Peace]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Thank you for the insight. Especially - "I believe God offered grace not just to save us from our sins but also from ourselves. Our legalism, perfectionism, trying too hard to be good does as much harm as rebellion..."

Lately, God has been dealing with me regarding pride. He reminds me that pride makes it difficult - if not impossible to receive grace. And what are we without His grace?

[Beth]

Congratulations, Holley! :)

[Lauresa Hollenbeck]

Wow. Congratulations Holley on completing Grad School!! I have learned that Grace is not something I can just order a side dish of; it is a life-long adventure, Goal, and Intense Motivator.

Have a wonderful week,
Reese

[Valious L. Clark]

For the grace of God that brings salvation, teaches me to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and a godly life in this present age, while I wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, therefore I shall turn from godless living and sinful pleasures and I shall live in this evil world with The Wisdom of God, God's righteousness and devotion to God almighty.

Honoring God the Father of my Lord Jesus Christ who gave His life to free me from the bondage of sin, to cleanse me and to make me a good an faithful servant, committed to doing good deeds.

Therefore today I shall hold this thought close to my heart, It is a mistake to look too far ahead. Only one link in the chain of destiny can be handled at a time. I will trust each moment of my life to God's loving care. I can find contentment in the knowledge that God will take care of us, regardless of the outcome of any situation. Thank you Father God for hearing my prayer and answering my prayer.

Give me the strength to walk in the way that You made for me before the foundation of the earth. Continue to give us the knowledge and direction we need when we're ready for it. Continue to grow us in faith and to believe and true in the truth that; God already knows the outcome, and we'll know it too when the time is right. Therefore we never need to worry; all is well.