Do you ever feel like God is sending you a message, tugging at your heart to do something, using you to help others?
Ever since I got over the initial shock of my husband having cancer, I have felt this pulling at my heartstrings. It has been a constant hunch, and one I just kept searching to find the cause, the reasoning, the purpose of.
My life has been a whirlwind of letdowns, disappointments, heartbreak and tough to swallow moments in the last year and a half. Let me tell you it has been a long, difficult road I never imagined I would still be on.
Actually, if I’m honest, I say STILL be on, because if it weren’t for some realizations and people in my life I probably would not be sitting here writing this blog, or even living for that matter.
It is AMAZING what can happen if you pick yourself up (with a little help), have a conscious mind to keep moving forward, stay positive and trust the Lord.
I am a better person because of ALL the hard times I have been going through. I am so glad I have my faith to carry me through, because without it I wouldn’t be able to do anything I can do. There really is such a thing called saving grace.
If you look up “saving grace” in Dictionary you will find the meaning as, “the redeeming grace of God; the sudden intervention of God’s saving grace; a redeeming quality or characteristic.”
If you turn to the biblical meaning of saved by grace it’s more along the lines of receiving a gift from God that we do not deserve. Despite the fact we did nothing for Him, He sent his only son to pay for our sins.
My daughter attends Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and goes to Harris Creek Baptist Church there. She talks about it often and the lead pastor, Jonathan Pokluda, who she refers to as JP. She really likes JP and asked for his book, Welcome to Adulting, which she got for Christmas.
A couple of weeks ago she told me I should watch the live feed of Sunday’s service and check out JP’s sermon, which our family did. A good message, liked his preaching but I can’t recall what the sermon was about.
However, this past Sunday we all tuned in, and I can tell you almost everything JP had to say. His message had an enormous impact on me, and I walked away thinking about it every day since. For me, it was a moment of validation in my life.
Be kind, help others, turn negatives into positives, always trust God and let him lead us, and receive the gifts you are given with grace.
According to JP and his sermon this is some of what he had to say:
"Grace saves you. Undeserved kindness of God means you have been saved. Grace changes you. Faith changes what you do and you trust in it. Grace humbles you. Boast in your weakness not in your words."
As soon as I heard those words, JP had my attention. It was as if he were speaking to ME.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
I named my blog Grace Love Biscuits because I wanted it to exhibit everything I loved and what I wanted to do in my life. Originally, Grace was going to be Peace, but after talking it over with my oldest daughter I felt Grace was more suitable. I wasn’t certain about the reasoning. At the time I just thought it was better, and now I know why.
Grace is all the blessings bestowed upon me. But, actually Grace is more than all that. It’s the undeserved kindness, it’s my undying faith, and my humbleness. It’s the kindness I receive and give. It’s my strong faith. It’s my trust in the Lord that I can handle what is given to me, no matter how bad or good.
A couple of people have helped me tremendously get to where I am, along with the Lord, and now JP. I’m so grateful. Without love, encouragement, and some graceful souls who maybe should have given up on me, I am in a much better place.
Stronger.
Kinder.
Smarter.
Humbled.
And, even able to admit my weaknesses and talk about them in the open.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
I owe so much to so many people for their unconditional love and support. I owe God for not giving up on me and His unconditional love.
JP said, “Take your mess and make it your message. Receive grace and extend it to others. Walk in humility and extend it to others.”
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful,just as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:35-36
I stumble every day. I’m a sinner. Some days I’m a downright mess. I pray for strength every single day. But, I have so much gratitude for all the grace in my life.
And, my youngest daughter, she has made me so proud going to Baylor, trusting her journey and remaining so strong. She has been a kind of GRACE to me I will never be able to describe, but one I could not live without. Her strength, her faith, her will, and the courage she portrays is so admirable. The last few weeks she has been my Saving Grace, and the name so suits her. xo
So, this is my unfolding message…all from a messy life.
grace love biscuits 