"Better Than I Deserve"

So I have FINALLY finished "The Cross Centered Life" by C.J. Mahaney. I have lost count how many times I have started reading that book, and have never finished. I started reading it again at the end of December... and today, I finished it! haha (I am a slow reader at times!)

It is a short book, seven chapters... and it is written by one of my favorite writers. Very easy to read! I would encourage you to read it!

But as I was reading the last chapter, I came to the section named "Better Than I Deserve". Growing up in a Sovereign Grace church, I have grown up with this saying all my life! I love it! And I have always wanted to say it to people, but always forget!

This is what C.J. Mahaney has to say about it in the book,
"Ask me how I'm doing on any given day and you might be surprised by my response. I don't give the typical "I'm doing great" or "Fine, thanks!" Instead I say, "Better than I deserve." It catches people off guard. Many times non-Christians have argued with me, convinced that I suffer from low self-esteem.
But no -- I just understand who I am and where I deserve to be. I deserve God's wrath. Honestly, I deserve to be in hell. But instead I'm God's child. I'm forgiven and loved by Him. I'm going to heaven. I'm doing much better than I deserve!
That perspective fills me with joy even on days when things aren't going as I planned. We all face disappointments and difficult circumstances. Some of us experience deep pain and loss. But regardless of the situation, understanding the gospel lets us marvel at God's love."

Short story... but when I started to read this again in December, a friend started chatting with me on Gmail. They asked how I was doing, and I replied, "Better than I deserve!" After a few seconds, they responded with asking what I meant by that. I simply told them, I don't deserve to be forgiven! I deserve the wrath of God... and deserve to be sent to hell. But by the grace of God, He sent His Son to die in my place! That friend did argue with me, and told me that I probably should not go around telling people that. I am ashamed now that I listened to them!

So go ahead! Ask me today... how am I doing? I'm doing better than I deserve! =)