Everyday Grace | Book Review

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Relationship Central

With countless books written and available about Christian relationships these days, you might be inclined to wonder why Jessica Thompson decided to join the long list of Authors, writing on this subject. And frankly, what’s everyday grace got to do with it all? In short, she’ll show you, -everything!

Sitting here, basking in the glow after reading Everyday Grace, I’m hard-pressed to not loudly declare, -this book is my favorite book next to the Bible! But I have so many books I highly value and enjoy. Hopefully, you get my point. This book is genuinely great!

It’s kind of ridiculous funny, actually. I don’t remember how long Everyday Grace has set on my shelf, unread and waiting. Has it been one year? Two?? Considering the time it’s been, it’s gotta be at least two years worth of dusting that book off and thinking, ‘I really want to read this!’ All the while praying, asking God to give me a fresh understanding of grace. Goodness. I wonder if I’ll ever know the patience the Holy Spirit has spent on me? Maybe it’s better that I don’t know.

Let’s Get Real

Regardless, reading Everyday Grace this month has been an awe-inspiring, “let’s get real” experience. To the degree of my current understanding, God has overwhelmingly answered those long-awaited prayers. Honestly, I am still rather shocked at receiving such a gift because it has been so intimately personal.

Loaded full of keenly insightful scripture references, Everyday Grace weaves through all sorts of reflective relationships with “God as our Father, Jesus being our brother and friend, and the Holy Spirit being our comforter and helper,” used in comparison to the many relationships we face. You’ll be hard pressed to find a relationship unreferenced.

Isn’t it amazing how quickly Biblical truths can become merely trite words until the Holy Spirit steps in again, giving a clearer understanding of a particular subject? If you’re anything like me, if I don’t live and breath these truths every day, I unintentionally forget them. Faithful gifts from God, and still, I forget. What’s worse is, I begin falling back into old assumptions of myself and old patterns of living.

Forgetting Grace

I mentioned earlier that I have been praying for a fresh understanding of grace. Although I “knew” better, I’ve been battling a crippling habit of ‘going into hiding’ from God when I’ve chosen things I know don’t please Him. Talk about forgetting. I’ve practically forgotten one of the greatest gifts of all!

The difference that Jessica Thompson brings to the table, compared to other relationship books is,  that while other Authors focus on lists of things to “do” within various relationships, she dwells on what’s already been done and the freedom that gives us. Those “do good lists,” while potentially helpful in the short term, will never be enough!

Jessica states, “The reconciliation that the gospel presents us with is a lovely thing to behold.” Using Pauls words in 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, she further declares, “In every single way Jesus handled relationships perfectly; in every way he chose to love instead of hate; in every way he refused to demand his rights; and right now before the Father, you have that same righteousness. All the relationship righteousness he earned is now yours!”

Believing God

My life experience, both spiritually and in personal relationships, resonates with her following assertion that “The fight of the Christian life is to believe that this is true.” Well, isn’t that the truth?! I know for myself, I thank God, I worship God, and then I insanely wrestle. Knowing too well my many failures and sin, at some point, I have to rest and trust him. His work is done. I am saved by grace and free to live and love in Christ.

This is just a glimpse of how Everyday Grace has impacted my life. If you’ve yet to encounter the love of Jesus for yourself, this book, like talking with a friend, can faithfully lead you to it. If you’ve long known Jesus but have gotten bogged down with your own stuff and forgotten the many benefits you have in Christ, this book will remind you of many scripture passages you may be overlooking.

I hope you’ve read and enjoyed Everyday Grace with me this month. If you have, please chat with me about it. I’d love to benefit from your insights as well! If you couldn’t get to it, I highly recommend it. I believe the heavily referenced scripture along with Jessica’s discussion will inspire your daily walk with God as well as your worship.