Critic's Choice =)

 A post dedicated especially to my sweetheart is way past due! I sit here now filled with unexplainable gratitude to God for blessing me with such a wonderful, handsome man! Aaron Guy. That name means the world to me! He gets up every day and greets me with a kiss on the forehead and tells me good morning. He works hard all day to make sure he is providing for our family. He comes home looking for a hug, and before he falls asleep, he takes my hand and we pray together. He helps me with all my housekeeping responsibilities, he's giving, he's genuine and kind. He wants to go to church with me, and once we're there, I watch him get in and worship the God I love. He treats me with respect and listens to my opinion. And he knows how to balance that with gentle, yet stern, guidance.

I have watched, firsthand, as marriages have fell apart. I've seen men treat with their wives with absolutely no respect. I've seen men who act selfishly with no regard for anyone but themselves. I've watched as men put their wives down... as a form of comedic entertainment. There have been countless conversations I've had with other ladies who admit that their husbands do nothing to help them around the house. It's broken my heart to hear other women cry over how their spouse refuses to attend church with them, despite the many pleads they present.

Ladies, if you have a man that tries his utmost best to be what you need him to be, be thankful!  More importantly, show him that thankfulness! One of the sweetest parts of our relationship, at least I think, is the fact that we send texts to each other throughout the day, every day! We're going on 7 years, and I still feel like we've just begun dating. He's let me know how much he appreciates the texts from me. The more random, the better.  It lets him know I'm thinking of him.  And, I try to remember at least a couple times a month to make sure he understands how grateful I am to him for wanting and striving to live as Christ would have him live.  In this culture, things are hard, especially for men.  I don't take it lightly that my husband avoids every avenue of temptation possible.  That shows his moral character, his love for me, and his devotion to Christ. I've noticed that when I tell him how much I appreciate him for that, he tries even harder to make his respect and loyalty to me more apparent. That's how we are still so happy and so close! We both try to make the other feel as special and as important as possible.

He makes me smile... quite often.  And, when I make him laugh, I feel like I've accomplished something so wonderful!  So, we keep each other laughing a lot!  I listen to him when he talks about fishing poles, and hunting rifles, and how he installed an a/c unit at work... even though I don't have a clue about hardly any of those things! But you know what, he's noticed that... and he listens to me when I'm being an emotional woman, or I'm talking about a cute shirt, or some amazing shoes.  We are best friends... and I wouldn't trade the closeness we have for anything or anyone or anywhere in the world!  I feel that every day is a dream because of this man. I am very grateful for him, and so thankful that God led me to him.  I don't know how my life would have been without him. I don't ever care to find out!  He's so precious... so sweet. He's talented.  He's incredible.  He's mine!

Too Much on Your Plate?

See this face?  Know that feeling?  Well, I sure do! Of all the exciting things that are coming with this big move, there are still quite a few that aren't as pleasant. You know what I mean, right? Having to search for the right job, getting a nice, yet reasonable, place to call your very own,  transferring licenses and car tags, putting down deposits, paying off final bills, yada, yada, yada! Oh. My. WORD!!! I found myself starting to feel a little frazzled and I could tell that sense of being overwhelmed was trying to take a hold. But, thank God, my faith kicked in before the tears ran out. I sat down my phone, shut the laptop, took a deep breath and began to utter these words, "Ok, God. Help me realize nothing is too hard or too much for You. Take away the stress, increase my trust, ease my nerves." Almost instantly I could sense a change. More peace came when I started quoting some of my favorite verses:
"When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I." Psalm 62:1 ~"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10 ~"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee." Isaiah 26:3

In the hustle and bustle of this busy day we are in, there are so many people that are just overcome with stress, confusion, a sense of being lost... and they look in all the wrong places for answers.  It breaks my heart to hear that people turn to alcohol or drugs or sexual immoralities to try an ease those unwanted feelings.  What most don't realize is that becoming a victim of those things is only going to cause a lot more heartache and trouble.  It causes health issues, relationship problems, and more importantly, it puts up a barrier between them and God.

You can get relief from any stress or chaos you may be facing. I'm not saying the problem will definitely go away immediately, because it may take time. It's not 100% guaranteed that it will go away at all, because this is life, and sometimes we bring things on ourselves that can't be undone. However, I can promise you, that if you "cast your cares upon Him," you will notice a freedom and an awesome sense of lightness. You can know, without a shadow of a doubt, that it will be ok. He is the Creator of this universe and the Author of your life. What's the significance in that??? He can write out anything He needs to! If a change is needed, guess Who has all the power to make that change?  What a relief and joy it is to know that ALL you have to do is your little part. Anything that's beyond your control... well, that goes to Him. Watch Him work it out!

{If you haven't heard the amazing account of how God erased 2 years of what we thought would be unexpected tax debt, click on the "ExtraKrisB" tab, and read my personal story of how wonderfully God worked that out to our advantage. ("Fish Breath Never Smelled So Good")}

My good friend was supposed to have surgery on a cyst that had grown and changed shape significantly within a 3 month period.  The doctors had some concern that it may be a sign of ovarian cancer. She was nervous, as any of us girls would be. She has a husband and small children that she worried over at times. But, she also has a God that is a Healer and a Miracle Worker! She prayed, and had others pray, and we placed our faith in the God that is capable of all things. She went back in just two days before her surgery to get a final ultrasound, and SURPRISE SURPRISE!! The cyst was completely gone!

Another lady our church had been praying for, had a husband and 3 young children. She had been diagnosed with cancer a few months back.  Last week our pastor shed tears as he gave in a request to pray for her family, for the doctors had called all the family in. They were only expecting her to live a few more days.  Once again, God had a change of plans! As the family was all gathered in the waiting room, expecting the worst, the little son of the precious lady ran out crying, "Mama's not going to die! Mama's not going to die!" The doctors did another scan, and EVERY OUNCE of cancer was gone! The night they expected her to leave this life, she simply left the hospital to go home with her family!

I wanted to share these stories with you, because when I see how serious these needs were, mine seem so small! And if God can take care of the big situations, he can move for me, too! No matter how big or little the situation, He cares and He will do what's best.  Don't live life overwhelmed. Live it with joy! If your plate is piling up today, give it to Jesus! It's never too much for Him. He never intended for us to take care of everything on our own. He wants to show us what He can do so we can bring Him glory through it! Take comfort in that, my friend!

Empty that plate!

A Brand New Recipe

So, I've been blank all year... and the one day I decide to pick up the laptop and just write away anyway... I see that it's been 1 year to the day that I've made an entry. Ironic? Coincidence? Absolutely meaningless?  Who knows.  But, in just 1 years time, so VERY much has changed in my life.

I no longer live in Illinois.  Aaron and I moved back to my homeland... Kentucky... in Louisville.  How did we get here?? Why did we come here??  Sometimes I ask myself those same questions.  And I only have one answer. God led us here.

This move was an extremely difficult one to make... on many different levels.  We had grown accustomed to Illinois. After all, we'd lived there for three years. We had some great times and plenty of not-so-great times. We made amazing friends... and some friends disappeared. We took some college courses, made some tough, but definitely right, decisions, matured, had time to figure out who we were and what we wanted. We were privileged to lead a student ministry group of 30+ teens. We got great experience from job opportunities. We got a fresh new start. Only now do I see how truly fresh that start was.

We started feeling like we would probably be relocating within the year back in January 2012. Honestly, the furthest I thought we'd go was St. Louis... only about 45 miles. That was my dream. When we were asked to head up the youth ministry at Faith Assembly, we weren't sure if we should take it, because of the little inkling we had about moving away. But, when we explained that and they still asked us to dedicate just one year to helping the ministry grow, we felt like that was a good plan. Once we got involved in that, we didn't want to leave. Everything was going greater than ever before... Why would we want to give that up now?  Back in February 2013 someone approached and told us that they believed within three months we would be back in Louisville.  I couldn't help but just smile and nod. I didn't believe it to be possible or accurate for one millisecond. Looking back now, I almost feel like Sarah in the Bible, laughing over the prophecy that she would have a child in her old age. Why? Because within less than two weeks of my "laughter," our landlord approached us with apologies. "I'm just in too much debt with my house... I'm going to have to sell my rental properties."  Ummm... Hello. Would you be worried sick?  Normally, I would have been. But one great thing that happened in Illinois for me, was being able to get away and realize that not all opinions about what happens in my life are acceptable and worth fretting over. There are some things in life that happen way beyond our control, and people that are too quick to get an idea of why or what you must have done to make that happen, a lot of times are completely off track. That seemed to happen to us a lot in our first few years of marriage, and I had to pray through some MAJOR complexes and hindrances because of that. That's what makes this time in my life a great victory. I've finally realized that GOD LEADS ME. He opens doors. He shuts them. I know that sometimes people can make decisions that cause things to happen... but I also know when one's heart is truly toward the Lord and His will, He keeps His promises and takes care of that one. So, I don't have to worry. This is God's doing... and all I need to do is trust.  After much prayer, we started seeing God do some awesome things to prepare for the move. Everything was taken care of... not just barely... with much ease. Financial miracles took place. Minds that needed to be changed were. One by one, "crazy" things started happening... and we knew it had to be the hand of God making our path plain.

I think the sense of not fully belonging anywhere just yet is the most difficult.  You know, having to start all over.  New home, new jobs, new friends, new church, etc... Even though my family is here (and we love it) we still missed three years of each other's lives... so there's even a twinge of something odd there. I know that within just a little bit, everything will start fitting together perfectly and all will be grand! After all, there's been some humbling and amazing opportunities for us already... and for once, we've been able to fully reach out and accept them without any reserve. Knowing that I'll always belong in the arms of the Lord... that's all the belonging I need. Of course, having such an amazing and supportive husband there with you in every new venture is pretty sweet, too!

A few people have asked what brought us back... and they automatically bring up the hurts, frustrations, and disappointments. Believe me, we remember those things from time to time, but we don't let them dictate our lives. It's not worth it at all to dwell on those things! The joy that Jesus brings can surpass them any day of the week! Plus, I know that we learned so much from those times, and it's made us happier, better, and more thoughtful of others' feelings. "What the devil planned for evil, God turned into good." Others have talked about the glories of the big city opportunities. Yes, those are a great incentive, for sure. But really, I'm just curious and excitedly awaiting what God is going to "cook up" for us in this chapter of our lives. After all, it is a brand new recipe this time around. Maybe God had a work for us to do here the whole time, had to move us to prepare us, and is bringing us back to get it done. 

I look back over my life, and even though I'm only almost 25... I've already had quite the fun and adventure.  We've moved a couple times... lived out of state... took a mission trip to Mexico... got to know and help some amazingly talented teens... sat under some wonderful pastors... made friends all over the country and even a few outside of it... got contacted by a music producer to start recording our ORIGINAL songs... helped my brother prepare to get out on his own... got to be there for my sister... The list could go on.  I'm grateful for that.  It's a little stressful right now, starting all over again... but every time God's led us to a different door, it's always been better than the one before. I'm believing the same for this one. When I write the next time, I can't wait to give detail of what these new ingredients have added to our lives.  If I didn't have the experience with Christ, all this hope and eagerness wouldn't be possible.  I'm grateful that in spite of everything that changes in my life, He remains the same.

Just like in every meal preparation, in life you get a little shook up, mixed up, and probably even heated up. There may be a few new and seemingly random ingredients sitting somewhere close by, but when the One preparing the dish has mastered the recipe, you can guarantee that it'll come out amazing.

Some don't like change... Some thrive on it. Others, like me, accept it. Maybe that's why God's led us out of the box we were in, and now has something incredible in the making. I can't wait to see it... and I can't wait to share it!

New Tastebuds

Greetings! There's something I just have to share!  Over the last year, there's been such a needed change occur in my life... in my heart.  I have joy and peace that I honestly can't explain.  Have troubles stopped? No.  Has the gossip ceased? Definitely not.  In fact, I can probably be fairly accurate when I say it's gotten worse.  But, for some Reason, the "cause" has had a much different "effect" with me.  Before, what used to depress me for days, only lights a fire under me to just keep smiling and prove to the world I have the Real thing.  The things I used to hear that were said about me, or those I love, used to make me so angry I couldn't even really think straight for a few days.  Sure, I could muster up a fake smile and talk in a chipper voice, but inside, I knew that wasn't how I really felt.  And, although I had some fooled, many could still tell there was something hurting my heart.
I finally reached the point that I knew it just DIDN'T MATTER.  Really.  Life, MY LIFE, is so short... do I want to spend it down in the dumps 80% of the time because of what some people choose to say or do?  Should I worry and whine when life happens and things don't go my way? When I really deeply pondered on that question, I knew I had to make a change.  I didn't want my life wasted.  I didn't want to live any way other than happy, content, and fulfilled.  That only came by completely FIXING my eyes on JESUS!  That story of Peter walking on water meant so much more to me.  I was able to really grasp it's incredible meaning.  As soon as he looked around at the waves that were seemingly out to take him under, he started to sink.  Why?  Because he lost sight of Who it was that held him up.  The same thing happened to me.  I would start to think that my life would never amount to anything if these things didn't go away.  If those voices didn't hush, I would surely never win.  They were lying, they were hurting, they were HINDERING.  But, God knew that, too.  Which I believe is the very reason, when He got me to the point to understand that life could be so much more, He caused me to let it all go.  Was it easy? No stinkin' way.  It was the hardest battle fought up to this point in my life.  But once the victory was claimed, it was so worth it.
Where am I going with this?  Well, as sad as it is, I have, as Paul stated, "a thorn in my flesh."  Someone out to literally destroy.  No matter where it is... work, previous churches, friends... the list could go on.  I've never been lied on or treated worse than this before.  And that used to would have eaten me alive.  I would have tossed and turned at night wondering who was going to believe her.  What's she going to take away this time?  But, God doesn't want us to pick up weapons... He wants to fight for us.  So, that's what I'm going to let Him do.  And in the meantime, I will rejoice in His love.
Just this morning, something else occurred...  as soon as I felt the sting of frustration, a coworker of mine approached me with a smile.  She said on her way to work she heard a song and felt like God wanted her to remind me of something.  Her words were,
"Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors shaking in their armor wishing they'd have had the strength to stand. The giant's calling out your name and he laughs at you.  Reminding you of all the times you've tried before and failed.  The giant keeps on telling you, time and time again, "You'll never win.  You'll NEVER win."  BUT- the Voice of Truth tells you a different story.  The Voice of Truth says, "Do not be afraid."  The Voice of Truth says, "This is for My glory." Out of all the voices calling out to you... just choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth."
Did she know that was one of my favorite songs?  Not a chance.  Does she have a clue what's going on in my life? No way possible.  Do I feel like God was speaking to me this morning?  No doubts whatsoever.
Here comes that peace again.  This joy is never fading.  Life is worth living to it's fullest- and that's the only thing you'll want to do when Christ is in control.  I finally know the full meaning of those words.  Christ is in control!  I just pray that if any of my wonderful friends are facing the same battles, or maybe only slightly similar ones, I would hope to encourage you today.  Live your life for Christ and realize what's important.  Remember, He NEVER gives us more than we can bear.  AND, He is our shield.  So, the "arrows" He's allowing to be shot at us, obviously aren't big threats.  Just jump to the side a little, or duck.  We're going to make it.  Our lives are going to be amazing... if we so choose.  Choose Jesus and watch it happen! 
He can change your "tastebuds," and things that used to make you sick- will only bring a little more health to your spiritual life when handled by Him. 
I'm a different person, all around... and I love it.  I've never been more at ease, and yet more on edge to do something for His kingdom.  I want to inspire everyone else to realize it can happen!  If this extreme happiness can be in my heart 24/7... I know it's there waiting for you, too.  Just ask Him.  He's waiting. 
Love!!

O Taste And See

I must say--  it's been forever!!  However, I have good reasons.  (yay!)  Aaron and I were extremely busy with college, and we got our first semester finished out with A's! 
BUT-  on an even better note - we were asked back in April to be the Associate Pastors of Student Ministries at Faith Assembly.  It was a church that some old friends of ours pastored. Directing my thoughts that way, it's so obvious that the Lord seriously let us "just run into them."  We found out they only lived about 40 miles away from us.  We decided (after SEVERAL months) to visit.  We had some questions that they had a lot of answers to, and we were going to meet with them about them.
Lo and behold, after just a few times of visiting with them, they informed us that they needed youth pastors, and they were praying that God would either send someone or lead them to find them.  After much talk, and even more prayer, Aaron and I both sincerely and wholeheartedly felt like this was the road we should take.

I can honestly say, we've never been so excited and happy in all of our lives.  We have both found an even bigger zeal to do something amazing for Jesus.  As I read back over some of my past posts, and I go back even farther in my diary, seeing where I am today, and the opportunity we've been given... well, I'm just overwhelmed with gratitude.  This position truly allows and supports us in nearly every dream we've ever longed to fulfill. 

We are over some amazing teens!  And talented!!!  We lead Worship on Wednesdays with the youth, allowing us to incorporate a lot of the music we've written.  We work side by side with some incredible people... and friends.  That's a huge blessing all by itself.  We feel nothing but love, support, and respect from them... which makes it a natural thing to give it all right back.  It's definitely a team.  And that's so nice.

We get to renovate the youth building.  We're coming up with a name for the youth group.  We're getting shirts made...  We've got TONS of activities planned.  We have at least three activities every month, not including practices and youth services.  Every one of them completely supported by the Pastor and Board, who, in turn, push the church to fully support.  I truly feel like I'm living a dream.  Honestly, I am.  It's my dream.  Our dream.  And it's incredible.

I remember back to the times when this all looked impossible.  It was so easy to just want to give up, pursue a career, dedicate our lives to something different.  Yet, the ministry was all we wanted.  It's who He made us to be.  And when He compelled us to remain faithful to Him, He proved Himself faithful by opening up the opportunity of a lifetime. 

O taste and see, that the Lord, He Is Good!  Once you've tasted of His blessings and grace...  Once you've experienced for yourself how truly amazing the life He gives really is, you'll see how good He is.  You'll crave His will, His work... and you'll keep desiring more of Him. 

I'm so thankful to Him for every good and perfect gift in my life- for it comes only from Him.  Today, this gal is unexplainably thrilled!  This post doesn't have a unique thought with it, or a captivating illustration...  but it's full of heartfelt gratitude and excitement.  I'll do my best to keep it updated throughout our newest journey.  (Plus, I have to tell you all about how my lil bro came to Illinois to live with us!!...  but that's another story!!)  In time, my friends, in time.  :)  LOVE!!

Humble Pie

Has anyone ever heard the saying, "They need to eat some humble pie?" In Kentucky, where I'm proudly from, it's an old one. As easy as it is to point out someone else's need for humility, noticing your own need for a piece, comes a little harder. 

When referring to pride, I know the first thing that usually pops into our brains is arrogance, hatefulness, and "I'm better than you-ness."  In this case, I'm talking about the pride in which it kills you to leave your comfort zone because of your fear of failure. I mean the pride that keeps you from stepping out and doing exactly what God wants for your life, because you're unsure of the response you'll get from everyone else around you.  That's the pride I'm thinking of... and that's the pride I had.

I never noticed it before a month or so ago.  Honestly.  Up to that point I had always masked it as just trying to be smart or weighing my options.  If that didn't fit the scenario, I then pulled my hurt or lack of self confidence out of the bag, and tried to throw that around.  I think the Lord was getting tired of it. Actually, I have no doubts.

I was home from work doing my thing... cleaning, laundry, figuring out what to make for dinner...  and I felt this overwhelming sense of discontent.  Not an unthankful sort, but an "I'm really missing out on something" kind.  I knelt down to pray almost instantly.  I asked God to please lead us and guide us.  Give us favor.  Use us however He needed to bring glory to His name. I read Scriptures about Abraham "going... without knowing whither he went..."  I heard songs about God leading a frightened, stuttering Moses back to Egypt to deliver His people.  I felt that God was about to make some major changes in my life...  and I got scared?  No.  Prideful.  But God, I don't know if I could handle this.  I don't know what others will think.  What if it doesn't bring about some magnificent thing and people think we're just young and dumb?  What if we get no support?  When will it work out?  How will it work out?  I asked a ton of questions that didn't deserve an answer.  And God, being God, knew that... and He offered none.

About a week or so later, a missionary came to our church.  I love and respect missionaries beyond words.  Major sacrifices, for the cause of Christ...  that's commendable and admirable.  But, I was really needing God to speak to me... and knowing that the service was probably going to be about the work going on in another country... I didn't think it was going to happen.  (Again, notice the pride...  I thought God had to do it a certain way...  Wow.)  Yet, when this man began to speak, I knew it was going to be different than I had come expecting.

The message was regarding the Apostle Paul.  A brief foundation was given about the amazing conversion of Saul- to Paul,  the obstacles he faced, and the lives he won for Jesus.  Towards the middle of the sermon, the objective changed.  He started focusing on Paul and the time he felt compelled to go to Rome. He stressed how different ones were telling him not to go because he would surely be killed.  And in one portion of Scripture it points out that the Holy Ghost even spoke to him to let him know he would be put in jail if he went.  Yet Paul knew in His heart Rome is where God wanted him.  

The missionary made a comment that He could just picture Paul sitting in prison writing that letter to Timothy, while others back in other lands were talking about how Paul "just missed it."  Saying things like, "If he would've just stayed here...  If he would have just not gone to Rome... If he would have just done what we all thought, he'd be doing so much for God, and instead, he's stuck in some jail... doing nothing."  At that moment, I saw Paul as a human.  Not just as THE Apostle Paul who wrote most of the New Testament... but Paul, the man.  I realized right there in service that Paul had to eat some humble pie.  He was willing to do what God wanted him to do, despite everyone's comments of defeat.  He went to Rome to bring glory to the Most High, ended up in prison, and even wrote about people not visiting him there.  He talked about being cold and lonely, and he asked Timothy to bring him his coat... before winter.  Those, seemingly minor, details spoke wonders to me.  He felt the same pain, the same confusion, even the same coldness we do.  And he was willing to suffer it! Thank God, Paul gave his all.  If Paul hadn't been placed in jail, a guard would not have been saved and we wouldn't have all the soul piercing letters he wrote to the churches of his time.  I opened my Bible and noticed all the highlighted areas throughout Ephesians and Philippians, and 1st and 2nd Timothy.  All those verses had either helped encourage or convict my heart at some point in my life.  Although we see the reason for Paul's inprisonment now, back in his day, people lost respect for him, because in their eyes, He was doing nothing.

God spoke to me.  Never doubting His love, I felt His chastisement as well.  I had to let go of the pride of what others might think of us, if we follow God into a place they don't understand.  I had to quit saying no because of the fear of failure and disappointment.  I had to leave my comfort zone; surrender my all.

What's crazy awesome, is that as soon as I was willing to do that- God began to show me things.  We had doors open that same week, that we would have never dreamed of.  Seriously.  It's like they came from out of nowhere.  We got calls from people that we respected immensely, and yet never really got close to... and they called us because "they had been thinking about us."  After talking with them we were stunned to learn that they had went through almost, to the T, the exact same thing we were being dealt with about.  They encouraged us so much by sharing with us a verse that God had given them a year ago from the book of Psalms.  "Thou hast led me in a plain path."  The prayer of our hearts.  Someone else was where we are, God led them, and He would lead us.

Within a week's time, four people we have highly looked up to called us to give us words of encouragement... having no clue what it was we were even praying about.  God's confirmation is so surreal.  And it's so sweet.  I am so excited to see what God does with us in 2012.  Although the unknown is always a little scary, I won't be holding on to pride anymore.  I hope, if anything,  I could encourage someone out there to let go and let God.  Don't miss out on your time to make a difference, according to His will, because of things that don't matter.  It's just not worth it. Realize it's pride... it's sin... and it's causing you to miss out on God's greatness.  I had to eat a piece of that humble pie, and much to my surprise, it wasn't that bad.

Just a Little Something to Nibble On

*****Working for an eye dr- I see people lose their sight more often than others. I see the fear when you inform them they have a disease that could potentially blind them. I sense the hesitance when you tell them surgery on the eye would make them see clearer. I see them stubbornly refuse because they're afraid of possibly losing the sight they have NOW. They don't realize they can see even better!! They've gotten so used to their view they've had forever, anything different, well, just has to be worse. On the other hand, I see those that do get treated, and vision is restored. They smile and laugh, and point at things they didn't realize "were so bright blue!" Its amazing. Makes me even more thankful to JESUS for opening my eyes! I once was blind... BUT NOW... I CAN SEE!!*****

This is a facebook status I posted yesterday- and the thought has stuck with me.  I am overwhelmingly thankful for: #1- Jesus' sacrifice and #2- God's grace.  It's so humbling to think that the Creator of this world knows every awful thing about me... and STILL cares about me, forgives me, uses me, and believes in me enough to bear His name. What an unconditional love.

I remember something that happened a couple months back.  I was at work...  It had been a long and eventful day.  Everybody's nerves seemed to be frazzled.  We had been short handed, had several grumpy patients, and it seemed like everyone of us made one mistake or another that day.  Some people were literally on the verge of tears, others were griping, and some, like me, were just silent and obviously tense. Then, the office television (which had been on all day- and completely ignored by all employees) suddenly got my attention.  I could hear the sobering sound of bagpipes bellowing beautifully the melody of "Amazing Grace."  Beyond all my control, tears began to fill my eyes.  Instant peace flooded my soul.  As the soloist began to sing, and a few saw my tears, everyone else that was still in the office stopped and watched-  and listened.  Really listened.  As each stanza was completed you could hear sighs and a few gentle laughs.  When the first chorus was repeated to end the song, I said aloud, "Isn't it just awesome how the thought of the amazingness of God's grace can cover a multitude of frustrations?  And better yet... a multitude of sins!" 

I was so convicted and refreshed at the same time.  Convicted because I was JUST NOW remembering that verse in the Bible, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee."  Why is it that we let POINTLESS things take over our thoughts for any amount of time.  Just a few minutes is too long!  We must remember God's blessings outweigh any bad thing we think we may endure. 

Then I was refreshed... because I knew, I had found God's grace.  I had experienced it.  Grace is a gift He gave, and I accepted.  I'm thankful that when I was lost, He sought me and He found me!  And after years of living in darkness, He allowed me to see His light and the beauty that comes when living for Him.  I was blind.  Now, (thank God) I see.

Grace.  Grace.  God's grace.

Grace that will pardon and cleanse within.

Grace.  Grace. God's grace.

Grace that is greater than all my sin.