We’re blessed in countless ways every day. And while many times we’re conscious and aware of the grace we receive, many other times the grace that blesses our lives remains hidden in plain sight. We enjoy its fruit without being aware of its cost at this moment.
We can see this in part from exercise. We’re acutely aware of the pain and suffering required to get in shape while we’re working out. But we can easily miss the strength and endurance we’ve gained in our daily lives. We can accomplish tasks with greater ease, but we don’t give this a second thought because there’s no longer a struggle to do so. The benefits of exercise are often removed from the immediate costs of working out – allowing this grace to now be hidden in the midst of our everyday lives.
To be sure, there are many things God does behind the scenes that we’re not aware of but receive the blessing from all the same. We don’t control the wind, the rain, or the snow, when the flowers bloom, or even the inner workings of our very bodies. And yet God has graced us with many things we simply get to enjoy without knowing all his ways.
This is a grace we provide to others as well.
For instance, we submit to our night work – work that’s hidden from the view of others but provides a blessing for them all the same. Many of the sacrifices we make for our wife and family would fall into this category. They simply get to enjoy our strength and presence without knowing what was required of us to offer it. And our goodness is often taken for granted – not because they don’t care, but because this is simply the water they swim in and it’s a grace hidden in plain sight.
In the end, be grateful for the many graces seen and unseen throughout your life and relationships. And remain faithful when the grace you offer to others stays hidden as well.
Photo by Simon Berger on Unsplash
