What we care for cares for us

One of the lessons I have learned about living in grace is that our response must go beyond being grateful. Grace calls for action, not as a duty, but as a conscious and loving choice.

Another lesson has been that every aspect of our lives, from our opportunities to our challenges, holds value.

When we bring those lessons together, that is where we can find what lives beyond grace.

It is stewardship, not as a duty but as a response. And in that response, a cycle is formed.

What we acknowledge as having value is what we care for and, in turn, what will care for us. It becomes what continues to sustain and nourish us.

Grace, by its very nature, is a gift. It’s unearned, undeserved, yet freely given. Our response needs to begin with a mindset that recognizes the value of everything in our lives—both seen and unseen—and a commitment to nurturing them with care and attention.

What we may not realize initially is that when we say ‘Yes’ to stewardship of what we are given, we say ‘Yes’ to our own growth, joy, and potential. It’s not just about taking care of what’s in front of us—it’s about investing in our future and ensuring that what matters most to us continues to thrive.

Stewardship isn’t a one-time act. it’s a lifelong practice of recognizing value and responding with care. As our lives change and grow, so does our approach to stewardship. The more we commit to this practice, the more grace we find in everyday moments.

Consider our relationships, for example. When we invest time, energy, and love into our connections with others, those relationships flourish. They become sources of support, joy, and growth. But when neglected, they can wither, leaving us feeling isolated or misunderstood.

When we tend to the people in our lives by extending grace, we honor the bonds we share. Those relationships then become a source of strength and care for us in return.

The same applies to our talents and passions. When we recognize the gifts we’ve been given—whether it’s a skill, a creative ability, or a passion for a cause—and commit to honing them, we create opportunities for growth.

Stewardship of our gifts is how we acknowledge that they are not just for our own benefit but can have a lasting impact on others and the world. In return, we find fulfillment, purpose, and often unexpected rewards as we pour ourselves into what we’ve been entrusted with.

When we look at this through the lens of our health, it’s even clearer. When we practice self-care for our physical and mental health, our bodies and minds can care for us in return. Our bodies and minds serve us every day. We need to be good stewards, even of ourselves.

The caution, though, is that living with this mindset of stewardship isn’t about perfection. It’s not about all-consuming practices. It’s about presence—being aware of what we have, appreciating it, and acting with intention.

While grace is often seen as a passive reception of something good, stewardship becomes the active response that turns that goodness into something sustainable and life-giving.

The greatest gift of stewardship I have found is that it means knowing where to focus our time and energy. It sometimes requires saying ‘No’ to distractions or things that don’t serve us so we can better care for what truly matters.

I once faced a period in my life where I was pouring all my energy into work but neglecting my health and relationships. It wasn’t until I was forced to start to steward my time and care for myself that I saw both my work and personal life flourish. Stewardship, I learned, is about intentionality—caring for every part of our lives so nothing is left behind.

This is the essence of the cycle: grace opens our eyes to the beauty in our lives, and stewardship ensures that beauty continues to nourish and sustain us. The more we care for what we value, the more it cares for us in return.

When we embrace stewardship as a natural response to grace, we transform what we’ve been given into something even more extraordinary. The ripple effect of our care extends to all aspects of life—nourishing our relationships, talents, health, and even the world around us. This cycle, built on grace and responsibility, ensures that we thrive, and so do the people and gifts we cherish.

What are the gifts in your life that need your care today? Whether it’s your health, your relationships, or your passions, take a moment to reflect on how you can steward what you’ve been given to create a more fulfilling and purpose driven life.

Stewardship is not about taking control. it is about taking responsibility

for what has been entrusted to you.  ~Larry Burkett