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?

WHEN FEAR SETS IN

For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who says to you, "Fear not, I am the
one who helps you."

Isaiah 41:13 ESV

Have you ever felt fearful over the what-ifs? Or the endless scenarios that play over and over in your mind? I'll admit, worrying can be one of my major downfalls. I have a lot of things coming up this year and I wish I could have it all planned out. As much as I'd like to say it's easy to just throw all my cares on Jesus, that is the exact place of one my biggest failures. It is limiting.

Yet, His promises have far succeeded the worst scenario my mind has ever thought up. When fear sets in I'm reminded that He is my peace (Micah 5:5). We sing this song at church that says, "I am hope, I am peace, I am joy, I am rest. I am your comfort and relief from your stress. I am strength, I am faith, I am love, I am power. I am your freedom this very hour." Im so thankful He is all of those things to us and more. He always goes before us to show us the way. 

Isaiah 30:21
And your ears shall hear a word behind you , saying, "This is the way, walk in it," when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.

It's so encouraging to know that He'll always be faithful to us, He'll always be guiding us. In the midst of our crazy, His voice can still be heard if we're tuned in. Here is something to think about, What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?

++I'm also happy to announce that my sister and blog photographer has taken her
website live, Casie Geuin Photography. She photographs for families and newborns around the St.Louis area. Check her site out by clicking the link above or click the image below.