​

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

‭Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)

𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨

Puppies, Porcupines, and Grace

What can puppies and porcupines teach us about grace? More than you might think.

If you’re wondering what these earthy creatures could possibly have to do with such a heavenly concept, don’t worry. I’ll ask a few questions to help direct you.

First, what do puppies and porcupines have in common? A few things, actually, but for our purposes I’m only going to focus on one, and that is their need for grace. They need it for different reasons, but they both need it. Puppies need grace because they’re prone to making messes and chewing things they shouldn’t (among other things), while porcupines need grace because if you try to get close to one, they can hurt you very easily without even trying.

What’s the difference between a puppy and a porcupine? That’s easy to tell: one has fur, and the other has quills. Their outer coverings represent their different responses when they’re brought close.

What do puppies and porcupines have to do with people? Now we’re getting closer to the point. I think people, puppies, and porcupines are all pretty similar in some of the ways I just mentioned. We all need grace, but we respond to it in different ways.

It’s easier to see this in other people, so let’s look at it from that perspective. I’m sure you know some puppies and porcupines, figuratively speaking.

Some people are like puppies: they need bunches of grace in a lot of areas, but it’s not hard to give it to them because they readily dispense it themselves. It’s hard to stay angry at this kind of person for very long, since it’s a lot like when you’re upset at a golden retriever puppy for nipping you. The creature is so cute and cuddly and loving that pretty soon afterward, you’ve got your face buried in its fur as you nuzzle it and whisper sweet things to it in a silly voice, the nip soon forgiven and long forgotten.

Other people are like porcupines. They, too, need grace, but how they respond to it is quite different. As much grace as they require, they don’t often reciprocate it. It takes much more effort to show grace to this kind of person, since it’s a lot like trying to make up to a porcupine that has offended you. If you pick it up and try to cuddle it, you’ll end up with a face full of prickly quills. You have to treat it with the utmost care and caution if you don’t want to end up getting hurt further.

While it’s much easier to show grace to the puppies, we can’t forget that the porcupines need it too, and maybe even more so. The harder someone is to love, the deeper we need to love them. I like the way Mike Donehey puts it: “However much grace you think someone needs, give them more.”*

As you pray for the strength you need to choose grace even when it’s difficult, remember that you need it too, and your response to other people determines how hard or easy it is for them to show grace to you.

So which one are you: a puppy or a porcupine?

​

*Mike Donehey, Finding God’s Life for My Will (WaterBrook, 2019), 198.

𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘱𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴

I'm getting published in an anthology! A devotional I wrote called "What Love Looks Like" was chosen to be included in Skillful Pen Press's upcoming romance anthology, Tell Your Heart to Beat Again, which releases near the end of this month. I'm excited about this book, and I hope it will be an encouragement to all who read it. If you're looking for an uplifting collection of stories, reflections, and poems centered on the kind of love that can only be found when our hearts are focused on Christ, then this book is perfect for you!

Preorders are open, so if you'd like to purchase a copy, you can do so here. (If you decide to buy a copy, make sure to fill out this form to receive some special thank-you gifts! Please note that these gifts are only available if you purchase a copy before January 28th.)

𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 (𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴)

“Loving God with all her heart and soul and mind. That, already, was a great, awesome charge to be worked on every day in thousands of small actions. If she loved her Father, she would love her neighbour—and from that love, all other fruits of the Spirit would flow out, and every aspect of the Christian life would be touched upon.

And if she did this—if she were so intensely in tune with Him—it was likely enough He would lead her along, teach her what to do, show her the steps to take … for had He not promised ‘the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord’ and ‘in all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths’?”

— Katja H. Labonté —

-"No Such Thing as Too Hard Music" (Madelyn Istrate) — According to Madelyn Istrate, living the Christian life is a lot like playing the piano. She challenges us to not shy away from what might seem too hard. As we enter the new year and many people are making goals, it's the perfect time to resolve anew to obey God no matter what. While obeying Him isn't always easy, it's never impossible.

-"Wake Us Up Lord" (Wilderness Cry) — This song moved me so much from the first time I heard it not long ago. As the day of Jesus' return draws nearer, we the church desperately need to wake up and return to our first love. Let us never stop believing for revival!

ⓡⓔⓐⓓⓔⓡ ⓡⓔⓢⓟⓞⓝⓢⓔ

Thank you so much to everyone who responded to the end-of-year reader survey I sent out last month! Your feedback is very helpful for me as I plan this year's content. (If you didn't get a chance to fill out the survey, it's not too late! You can find it here.)

What is one thing God taught you last year? I would love to hear about it.