Grace Upon Grace...

This is a post that was written in August 2008, but I am sharing it today and linking up to Chatting At The Sky.


In him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. ~Ephesians 1:7-8

grace: getting a gift you don't deserve.

lavish : to expend or give in great amounts or without limit.

Today I am letting the truth that abundant amounts of grace has been given to me by a loving God. I've known the Lord for 17 years now, but there are times when I need to get back to the basics. I can get caught up in all the things around me, good things nonetheless, but I can find myself not living like I know this to be true.

God accepts me, loves me, has a plan for me, and will use me because of His great affection He has for me. I want my heart to rest and be home in His sweet grace.

I am learning that I can know Him but yet not live in grace. I can read my Bible, pray, go to church, memorize scripture, and do all the "things" you are supposed to do but not live in grace.

Sometimes I can't even wrap this simple mind of mine or my heart around the magnitude of this gift of grace that has been given to me. I don't know why God would continue to pour out, give in great amounts, with no limit, his grace on people who are so unworthy. He does, and we just need to know that it is so.

His grace is a gift that comes because we belong to Him. It is the loving, forgiving, redeeming and steadfast love He has for you and for me.

But because of his great love for us, God who is rich in mercy, made us alive in Christ even when we were dead in our transgressions- it is by grace you have been saved.
~ Ephesians 2:4-5

When I am a woman of grace, every area of my life is transformed. I can walk in peace and strength. I can have rest for my soul. Through His grace, I can love those around me well. Where there is grace there are hearts that have been tended to. I say "I am sorry, would you please forgive me?" Fun and laughter is going on because I'm more concerned about enjoying the moment than what I have to accomplish on my "to do" list. Where there is grace there are lots of hugs, kisses, and a listening ear.

I know this is a journey and hopefully as the days go by, His grace is more evident in me today than it was yesterday. I'm not perfect. I don't have to wear myself out trying to be. My part is to give myself to Him. Surrender to Him. Know Him. Love Him. There I will know His grace.

Grace Through My Eyes

Grace is what I rest in.

Love is full of grace.

Grace is what holds us together. 

Grace is in the beautiful.

I am linking up to Chatting At The Sky and the 31 Days of Grace.

October

It's a beautiful October day here in Ohio. These last couple of days the temperatures have been in the mid 60's which is allowing me to have a few windows open. I love the sound of the rustling leaves outside and even though we haven't quite experienced the cool, crisp days of fall yet, there is still something inside me feeling all that fall brings.

I can't believe that this month is quickly coming to an end. Another month that has just flown by, but when I look back through my journal pages, there is so much to be shown for it. I read back through and see prayers that were written and as I turn the pages, I see how God has answered them or evidence of how He is working.

Oh, how I don't want to rush through the different seasons of life not enjoying or being so completely aware of His presence.

Psalm 27:4

One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek; that I amy dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. 

Finishing Strong

Last night, our oldest son, Sam competed in his final cross country meet as a middle-schooler. This is the second year he has run on the team and it's been a fantastic season. 

Sam is a very driven and determined young man. One of the neatest things we have witnessed this season is how there was something that finally clicked with him to push himself and do his best to achieve the goals he set before him. 

Sam has consistently lowered his time at every meet and last night set a personal best of 13:13 for the 2-mile run. We are so proud of him and celebrating his success!

God Is Able

As we gathered last night for the women's bible study I am leading, I was really needing to hear from God. Just that afternoon, my husband and I, along with our daughter had moved forward in a direction in which we were being led. I know that I am not giving much detail right now, the time will come for that I know, but this is a situation we are really excited and hopeful about. We are seeing a new resolve in the heart of our daughter and God is reminding me that His timing is perfect and He is holding her and her future in the palm of His hand. 

How this is all going to work out, we don't know. When I look at the circumstance, there is that part of me that believes it may be impossible. And the thing is, we don't even have all the information yet. I jump to conclusions and find that my prayers perhaps are not rooted in faith.

So, as we began our bible study last night, we turned in our bibles to Ephesians 3:20-21.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. 

God's timing in this message was far from coincidence. I was reminded last night of some very foundational truths that can alter the way I live, think, and pray.

Our God is ABLE and He is ABLE to surprise me in ways that I can't even imagine.

One of the most fantastic attributes about God is simply that HE CAN.

Ephesians 3:20 begins with a very simple word but with a significant purpose to act and believe...
NOW is the time for me to start considering the ABILITY of God.

I am encouraged and challenged to pray extravagantly because every heartfelt request I lay at His feet is heard. He knows our every need and our desire to be faithful and obedient as we move forward in faith. 

It's living the abundant life when in the midst of an impossible situation I turn and say, "Now is the time for me to believe that HE IS ABLE!"

(These concepts are from the bible study Faithful Abundant True)

A Grateful Heart

My eyes have been open to little gifts all around me this week. More importantly, my heart has been open to receive and embrace them. 

It's so easy to get caught up in the busyness of life and neglect to see all the gifts around me. I get tired, distracted, and my attention starts to turn on all the things that I want to change. My attitude starts to be of  

worry or discontent, and not holding tightly to His faithfulness. 

So, what if I intentionally became more aware and embraced wholeheartedly all the simple and beautiful gifts that are around me each and every day.

What I am finding is that they are unexpected, extravagant, and my heart truly is overcome with gratefulness.

Some of the gifts I've been given this week...

A quiet evening in which I was able to spend time in the Word and prayer.

The generosity of a friend who is giving me riding lessons and allowing me opportunities to come and just be around horses. This is a dream come true for me and one in which where because of circumstances, a passion has laid deep inside.

One of my children saying, "I love you" just because.

Looking outside my window and seeing the beauty of Fall.

My husband painting our front door for the fourth time.

A renewed friendship.

God's timing.

The privilege to pray on behalf of my children.

Having someone recognize a great accomplishment and celebrating with us.

Laughter.

Time to work on craft projects.

Writing in a new journal.

Hearing my 1 1/2 year old niece count to 10.

Resting in faith.

Welcome Fall

I'm sitting here at my desk with a few windows open and I can hear the rustling of the leaves blowing. It's an absolutely beautiful day. There is not a cloud in the sky. The sun is warm but I can feel just a hint of coolness in the breeze. 

Fall is here.

What I love about this time of year is the feeling of wanting all things cozy and warm. This month, sports schedules come to a rest, family dinners will once again be the norm, and cool, crisp evenings will allow us to cuddle up in our favorite quilts. 

I'll bring out the soup recipes once again and there will be plenty of opportunities for bonfires and s'mores. There will be football games to watch and birthdays to celebrate.

There is just something about this time of year that brings me to wanting all the comforts of home and being with the ones I love the most. 

I do welcome the days of Fall. 

I made the "Welcome Fall" using this technique.

Have a wonderful weekend!