Live Favor-Minded

So brace up your minds; be sober (circumspect, morally alert); set your hope wholly and unchangeably on the grace (divine favor) that is coming to you when Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is revealed.  [Live] as children of obedience [to God]; do not conform yourselves to the evil desires [that governed you] in your former ignorance.  1 Peter 1:13-14

I'm really struggling with this idea of being favor-minded.  Growing up Catholic, and used to a lot of guilt, I was taught that I had to earn my place in heaven with good deeds.  Seems a little difficult to do enough good deeds to be worthy of a spot in heaven.  Now it seems that I can't in fact, earn a spot in heaven since it has already been given to me by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  So if I already have my spot in heaven, good deeds take on a whole new meaning.

Living favor-minded though, to me, implies that I expect God's favor rather than being grateful for the favor he has given me.  I'm sure that's not the interpretation that is intended but I just can't help that Catholic guilt from creeping in and twisting things.  Maybe it's the word "favor" that's throwing me off.  I don't like the idea that someone might not be in God's favor.  Wouldn't God love and want to bless all of his children?  If everyone were favor-minded, what then?

I prefer the gratitude view.  I am grateful for God's favor and know that I don't deserve it and haven't (and couldn't) earn it....ever.  It's so easy to list all of the ways that God has blessed and favored me and my life is so much better when I remember those blessings.

With Mother's Day coming tomorrow, I am reminded of the blessings that God has given me.  My mom is here, healthy and a wonderful grandmother to my girls.  My mother-in-law is also alive, healthy and loves me and my children.  How blessed can you get to have a great relationship with your mother-in-law?  I am mother to two beautiful, talented, smart, funny and good-hearted girls who may someday grow up to be wonderful mothers themselves.  I am grateful for all the moms in my life who give me advice, show me (and teach me) how to be wonderful mothers and who give me support.  I am grateful for my daughters' two godmothers who also happen to be two amazing sisters. 

So I rejoice in the favor that God has given me and I "live" every day mindful of that favor.

Have a great Best Life day!