A Daily Dose

God’s grace is new every day.

We’re diving into two beautiful words that carry so much power: grace and mercy. Grace is when we get what we don’t deserve, and mercy is when we don’t get what we do deserve. Think of it as God’s way of loving us both gently and generously, even when we’re a hot mess. And let’s be real—we all have those days. So, pour that coffee, take a breath, and let’s explore the kindness of God together.

Hebrews 4:16 (NLT) — “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”

We're starting with the basics: what exactly are grace and mercy? They’re not just “church words,” they’re lifelines we live on every single day.

Grace isn’t just a theological concept—it’s that moment your kid spills juice and instead of losing it, you just hand them a towel and smile. It’s when your coworker messes up the presentation and you step in to help without shaming them. Grace says, “I’m not mad—I’m with you.”

Mercy is that quiet, often unseen act of restraint—when justice could strike but it doesn’t. Like when your dog tears up the couch cushion and you just sigh and pet her anyway. Or when God sees every mistake we’ve made and still says, “Come here, I love you.”

When have you received mercy from someone, and it completely changed how you felt?

God’s Grace on Repeat – God’s grace doesn’t run out after your third cup of coffee or seventh mistake of the day. It’s new every morning. It’s like spiritual Post-it notes that say, “You still belong here.” And the best part? You don’t have to earn it.

We’ve all seen those posts and pictures and notes that tell us who we are, right? We are chosen, free, enough, wonderfully made, known, and loved—all of this comes with God’s grace and mercy every day. And those notes and posts that we read are great reminders. So when you see those, thank God for the reminder of who you are in Him and for His grace, mercy, and love every day.

How can we extend grace and mercy to the people in our lives who drive us a little nuts? Because if we’re honest, we’ve all needed it, too—as we probably drive some a little crazy.

Sometimes we can get caught up in something someone did, and it can take hold of our thoughts. Then our focus is on what we didn’t like.

But what if our focus stays on God in all things, and then we suddenly see His hand in all things?

Whether it's a spouse, friend, or coworker, people will disappoint us. Grace doesn’t mean letting people walk all over you—but it does mean choosing kindness when it’s easier to snap. It means letting God be our focus no matter the circumstance.

Hebrews 4:16 (NLT) — “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”

Showing mercy doesn’t mean staying in unhealthy situations. This does not mean people-pleasing. It means responding with love instead of revenge, with wisdom instead of wrath, or saying no when we need to. Sometimes mercy says “no” kindly instead of “yes” bitterly.

Grace and mercy work hand in hand. When we speak kindly through frustration or correction, we are showing others what grace and mercy look like. Our words, actions, and reactions all display where our heart is. We need to make sure we are showing grace and mercy the way God wants us to.

Parents, how many times have we lost our patience with our kids, only to realize they just needed a nap and a snack—or just a hug? Mercy in parenting looks like grace with boundaries—and lots of deep breaths.

Where in your parenting (or relationships) can you offer a little more mercy this week?

Traffic jams, long lines, parenting—it is in these everyday things that we can practice grace as well. Maybe today, let the person merge in front of you. It’s more about displaying the character of God than trying to do things on our own. When we think about it that way, we are more likely to show more grace and mercy.

We’ve talked about receiving grace and giving it to others—now, let’s look at how to live it out daily. Grace and mercy aren’t just Sunday words. They fuel us every day. They are things that we need to be mindful of in order to put them into practice every day and see the changes that God will make through them.

Hebrews 4:16 (NLT) — “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”

Grace for Yourself – This is a big one. You can’t pour from an empty cup—and you certainly can’t extend grace to others if you’re beating yourself up. Speak to yourself like you would a friend. This is another reminder for all of us, and I have talked about it before. Just like every day we receive new mercies and grace from God, we need to give ourselves new mercy and grace and not hold on to things from the past too tightly.

So, you said the wrong thing. You missed the opportunity. You didn’t do it perfectly. Welcome to the club! God's mercy means you can begin again—right now. Not tomorrow. Not after you “fix it.” Right now!

So, wake up feeling refreshed and holding on to the fact that God’s mercy and grace are, in fact, new every day.

Imagine if grace and mercy became our default reactions. The more we practice them, the more natural they become. Like any good habit, it starts small—one choice at a time.

Grace and mercy are God's gifts to us—and our gifts to the world. Today, be a grace-giver. Be a mercy-reminder. Someone out there is desperate for what you have to offer.

Let them see Christ through the mercy and grace you offer.

Grace and mercy are for you, for me, and for every soul walking through this messy, beautiful life. Let’s not just talk about it—let’s live it. And when you mess up? There’s grace for that, too.