Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 5
Laura’s “grace steps” included “God doesn’t give us grace for tomorrow… only for today,” and “trust the future to God and do the next thing”; where do you see yourself demanding “tomorrow-grace,” and what practices would help your group live in “moment-by-moment grace” without slipping into passivity?
Another way to ask: Where do you catch yourself wanting “grace for tomorrow” instead of just for today? What could help our group live one day at a time without giving up or doing nothing?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
Laura teaches that we often want strength for an imagined future, but God supplies grace for the present moment and calls us to do “the next thing.” The transcript suggests active trust: receiving today’s help, then taking the next faithful step, rather than trying to solve the whole future at once.
- Laura: “God doesn’t give us grace for tomorrow. He only gives grace for today, sometimes just for the moment that we’re in.”
- She adds: “Trust the future to God and do the next thing. Don’t think about the rest right now.”
- She frames grief as overwhelming and “muddled,” especially “very fresh grief,” where big planning is unrealistic.
- She warns grief can lead to lashing out: “compare, be angry,” so “let grace govern your talk.”
- She advises lowering expectations: “Let yourself off the hook of the high expectations… This is not a time to help everyone else grieve.”
- She counsels, “Wake up to new morning mercies” even when a new day feels like “a mockery.”