~~~~~THOUGHTS ON A SUNDAY MORNING~~~~~ What is Grace, Nana?

For as long as I can remember one of my favorite words in the English dictionary has been the word "grace".  I seem to say it all the time and even feel sometimes like I've completely over used it and worn it out.  So...a few weeks ago when my grand-girl, Miss K, asked me what the word "Grace" meant, I said the same thing to her that had always been said to me...

Me:
"It means the "Unmerited Favor of God!" 

Miss K:
"Well...what does that mean?

I don't understand unmerited flavor!" 

Me:
"It's FAVOR, not FLAVOR!"

"Hmmm...it's....it's........well....

hmmm....well, Miss K...grace is...

umm...(I'm thinking here)..."

Miss K:

"Nana?"  What is "unmerited flavored grace?

Me:

"I told you...it's favor NOT flavor!  There's no "L" in it! Grace isn't a flavor!!!"

Miss K:

"Do you want me to Google it?"  (She is 8!)

Me:

"No, don't Google it!  OK...I think I have it now!"

"Grace is something you didn't expect.

Grace is something you can't earn.

And Grace is something you'd never, ever turn down."

Miss K:
(Blank Stare!)

Me:
(Struggling to get down on her level here...)

"It's God being kind to us when we don't deserve His kindness!"

With that my Miss K said this:

"Oh I know what it means now, Nana!  I showed grace to {Lisa} last week by not calling her a FAT HOG after she said I looked really ugly in glasses!!!!"

(Christmas 2010)

~~*~~

"My grace is enough for you.

When you are weak, my power is made perfect in you.  

II Corinthians 12:9

~~*~~

Blessings as you remember that God is generous with His grace.

Love to you...

 

~IS NOT THIS THE LAND OF BEULAH? - Remembering Amy Dawn~

IS NOT THIS THE LAND OF BEULAH?

~In Honor of Amy Dawn~

I am dwelling on the mountain,
Where the golden sunlight gleams
O'er a land whose wondrous beauty
Far exceeds my fondest dreams,
Where the air is pure, ethereal,
Laden with the breath of flowers,
They are blooming by the fountain,
'Neath the amaranthine bow'rs.

Is not this the Land of Beulah?
Blessed, blessed land of light;
Where the flowers bloom forever,
And the sun is always bright.

I can see far down the mountain,
Where I wandered weary years,
Often hindered in my journey,
By the ghosts of doubt and fears;
Broken vows and disappointments,
Thickly sprinkled all the way,
But the Spirit led, unerring,
To the land I hold today.

Is not this the Land of Beulah?
Blessed, blessed land of light;
Where the flowers bloom forever,
And the sun is always bright.

I am drinking at the fountain,
Where I ever would abide,
For I've tasted life's pure river,
And my soul is satisfied;
There's no thirsting for life's pleasures,
Nor adorning rich and gay,
For I've found a richer treasure,
One that fadeth not away.

Is not this the Land of Beulah?
Blessed, blessed land of light;
Where the flowers bloom forever,
And the sun is always bright.

Tell me not of heavy crosses,
Nor the burdens hard to bear,
For I've found this great salvation
Makes each burden light appear;
And I love to follow Jesus,
Gladly counting all but dross,
Worldly honors all forsaking,
For the glory of the cross.

Is not this the Land of Beulah?
Blessed, blessed land of light;
Where the flowers bloom forever,
And the sun is always bright.

Wm. Hunter

"Peace, Peace! Wonderful Peace! Coming down from the Father above. Sweep over my spirit forever I pray, in fathomless billows of love."

Thinking of Amy's precious family during this time of profound loss. We love you all...

Love, Rebecca & Steven

~Grace Upon Grace - Trusting When Disappointments Come~

~GRACE UPON GRACE~

This morning my heart grew heavy as a little family I love very much faced disappointment. Even though I’ve always SAID “God’s Grace is Enough!”, I couldn’t help but feel a bit overwhelmed as I considered the sadness my loved ones would experience as the week ahead played itself out. Is God's Grace ENOUGH? Is it? Or is it just something easy to say when the going gets tough for someone OTHER than me?

I lay quietly for a few minutes after hanging up the phone, trying to digest the latest news that had come our way. I found myself wishing I could will myself back into the gentle slumber of night. I wanted to bury my head back into my pillow, curl back up into the warmth of my beloved and rest. But, rest would not come…only tears.

“Sometimes life is crummy” I thought.

After tossing and turning for far too long I kicked off the covers and faced the day. And, just as I do every morning I picked up a small book and began to read a short devotional…

It began…

“Test this question: What if God’s only gift to you was His grace to save you? Would you be content? You beg Him to save the life of your child. You plead with Him to keep your business afloat. You implore him to remove the cancer from your body. What if His answer is, “My grace is enough.” Would you be content?...”

“Huh? WHAT?” I couldn’t believe it…

“Are you kidding me, God? Why these words of all days? Don’t you know I’m SAD today? I don’t want to read today something I’ve heard about all my life! I know you give MORE of Your grace when the burdens in our lives grow greater! I KNOW you send even MORE of your strength when our earthly labors increase~to multiplied sorrows You send Your multiplied peace~I know it all! I just DON’T want to read about it TODAY!”

I sat undisturbed for over an hour as God allowed the Holy Spirit to comfort me in love. He knew I needed time for what I’ve always believed about His promises to take hold~time for His grace upon grace to sink back into my questioning heart.

When the tears stopped I couldn’t help but think how disappointing it is when the God I love doesn’t do what I sometimes want Him to do. Still, I know deep within He knows more about my life than I do and He has promised to get me (and those I love) through the tough times.

Must be that "Grace Thing" again...

“I have learned to be satisfied with the things I have and with everything that happens.” Philippians 4:11

Blessings to you as you see from Heaven’s perspective, that His grace is always enough…Rebecca

SEEKING TREASURES BUT FINDING PEACE

Yesterday was a fun day for me! At noon I headed out my front door with great anticipation and excitement for I was going to make yet another visit to some of my very favorite Oklahoma City Shoppes! With so many stores on my list I expected to have a fun-filled day! Some of the shoppes have "Antiques" in their title and some simply say "Thrift" or "Secondhand". There are even a couple of stores out there that just say "USED" and "JUNK"! Regardless, I love them all and I'm not afraid to walk into any one of them. Sometimes I come out with my arms loaded up with special finds...and sometimes they are empty. Regardless, the experience of scouring resale shoppes is always a rewarding one. I love the idea of re-purposing old treasures as well as saving usable finds from our local landfill!

On my last stop of the day I found myself at one of the sweetest antique markets here in my city. I was actually looking for something in particular for my studio. I've wanted a slanted writing desk for quite some time now. I'd seen one there on my last visit but was sad to find that it was already sold. However, I found another one that I actually liked better! After carefully looking her over I decided to give her a new home...mine.

At the checkout counter I saw the smiling and familiar face of a friend. I'm always happy to re-connect with people I’ve come to believe God has placed in my path. We chatted for a bit, a little about the store, some about my business and then even more about her and the happenings in her life. It was then I realized something was troubling her...I could see the sorrow…

As my friend shared with me her concerns I found myself taken back a few years. Back to the day my own family faced similar hurts and devastation. Back to life changing, life crushing events, that if I'm honest with you, broke my heart...

I listened as my precious friend continued to talk. I worked hard at choking back the tears for her story sounded all too familiar. Her story was once mine. And so I began to share with her where the novel that had become my life had taken me...

It was on the drive back home that I thought again about the events that took place seven years earlier. Hurt, fear and disappointment flooded back into my mind like they’d just happened the day before. I recalled how incredibly alone my hubbs and I felt and how frightened we were by days we hadn’t even yet lived.

And then I remembered…

Our very existence was in God’s hands. It was the peace He offered to us that changed the course of our lives. A supernatural, straight from heaven kind of peace that overshadowed us, guarding our hearts…

Want to know the outcome brought about by life’s unexpected hardships?

Joy…only joy!

Blessings to you as seek the peace that passes all understanding…Rebecca