GRACE STORY

art by Danielle Burkleo

Happy weekend, friends! I don't know about you but it's been one loooong week for me. I don't think I can add one more "to-do" into my planner. As I reflect today, I'm amazed by His unrelenting grace. You read so many stories in the Bible about His forgiveness that doesn't pick and choose, grace that never ceases, love that only grows. But why is it so easy to rejoice in other's stories of redemption yet, we doubt in our own?

John 1:16 ESV

For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

I have many grace stories. When you look at me, you'll see a reflection of His many works of grace, new and old, because I fail continually. I think about the younger teenage me, giving myself at each convention, service, camp, believing that this time these prayers would hold a breakthrough, and I wonder what Jesus thought? I wonder if it broke Him to watch as I walked away from those moments at the altar having a tiny bit more doubt than faith that the promises He made for me were true? You want to believe that this time will be different. This is where His grace replaces the tiny cracks made by doubt to try and break your foundation. When you've run dry, He gives more. It's where He reminds you that He truly is enough (2 Corinthians 12:9). This is what He constantly reveals to me.

If you're coming to Him for the first time or you've been in this place a hundred times before, He rejoices to take you in. Don't worry about the past that's following you to His throne or all the baggage you're bringing along with you, He knows what you're bringing and He has room for it all.

It's always been and always will be about Him. What does your grace story look like?

Have you received your fresh start?

The reoccurring theme/idea that I chose for myself during 2014 is: a fresh start! This is perfect for the season in my life. Who doesn't enjoy a new beginning? Some believe you have to wait for a certain time or place in your life, or even a new year to have this new beginning (and that is an easy mindset to have), but that has never been farther from the truth. 

With Jesus, His "fresh starts" come every morning.

Lamentations 3:19-24 ESV
"Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall! My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me. But this I call to mind! and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of The Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in him.'"

Every morning. I'm so thankful that I can talk to Jesus daily about my upcoming opportunities, the desires of my heart, things I simply want and don't necessarily need, also, my sins, my angry thoughts, my bitter feelings, my hurts -- yeah, I DAILY need a fresh start. If I need the mercies and love of God like this then why keep it to myself? I want to share it with everyone around me! Because, whether they admit it or not, humans long for mercy, love and forgiveness: everything that comes with a fresh start.

Psalm 89:1 ESV

"I will sing of the steadfast love of The Lord, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations."

Psalm 36:5 ESV
"Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds."

Instead of dwelling on the wormwood and the gall* in my life:

• I choose to sing of his steadfast love!
• I will be a messenger of His faithfulness.
• I will hope in His unending mercies!

Don't go another second without talking to Jesus and embracing all He has to offer. 

Thank you, Lord, for a fresh start.

*Wormwood and the gall: bitterness of spirit; deep resentment.