A season of grace

I don’t know what your 2025 has been like, but as I sit and reflect on the year as it draws to a close, I realise that it hasn’t been an easy one for me personally.

There have been many challenges, including illness, intense study deadlines (for my husband, but this has quite a big knock-on effect for me!), tiring periods of renovations on our house, physical exhaustion from pregnancy, birth and early postpartum, the challenges of parenting a toddler alongside a newborn, and many more.

At times I’ve felt overwhelmed, disappointed, confused, isolated and burnt out.

Of course, there have also been immense blessings too, including welcoming our precious son into the world in September! But as I reflect on the year, the recurring theme in my diary entries has often been one of overwhelm and pressure.

While the pressure is often from external circumstances, it has also been internal. Self-imposed expectations, a desire to ‘have it all together’ (which any young mum knows is an illusion) and dreams of achieving goals that are unrealistic and probably unhelpful for me right now.

As I look back at my year and reflect on these many challenges, I’ve been asking God what this next season will hold. What has He got for me in 2026?

His response?

‘This is a season of grace’.

That’s what I felt Him whisper to me one day as I was feeling tired, worn out and unable to live up to my expectations. A season of grace.

I started to dig into His word to find out what it has to say about grace.

What is grace?

First of all, grace is a gift. It is not something we can achieve by ourselves.

For by grace you have been saved through faith,and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. (Ephesians 4:7)

I can’t earn grace by behaving a certain way. My biggest accomplishments, good days, best parenting skills or ability to keep it all together on the difficult days, have no bearing on the grace that God has for me. He shows me just as much grace in my weakest and worst moments as my good ones.

Secondly, His grace is enough. Even when I feel totally overwhelmed, out of my depth and unable to go on, He has the grace that I need for that moment.

My grace is sufficient for you. My strength is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

What is grace for?

His grace is given to me so that I may have an abundance - enough and more besides - for every thing He has called me to do:

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have abundance for every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:8)

Secondly, it strengthens me in the good works I am called to (which may not be the same as those on my to-do list): dish washing, nappy changing, soothing, feeding, cooking, cleaning, loving and supporting my husband, training and disciplining my children, loving those around me, walking through each day, no matter how challenging or mundane.

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus… (2 Timothy 2:1)

Where do I find grace?

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16)

It is found in Him: at His throne. When I’m in a time of need (which is all the time), all I have to do is come to His throne and He supplies me with that abundance.

More specifically, it comes through Jesus Christ.

For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:16-17)

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

What can stop me receiving grace?

However, the Bible does talk about some barriers that can prevent me from receiving His grace such as pride and bitterness.

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)

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… (Hebrews 12:15)

I need to check my heart and ensure that I’m not walking in pride or holding bitterness in my heart, as this is not a heart posture that can receive His grace.

So, when I need grace (ie. all the time!), I can be reminded that He is the God of all grace:

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. (1 Pet 5:10)

...and that He desires not only that I grow in His grace…

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Pet 3:18)

…but that I excel in it!

But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also. (2 Cor 8:7)

So, as I look forward to a new year, I am excited to see how God causes me to excel in His grace. I pray the same will be true for you too.