caught [in grace.]

as i was looking at all the new life around me & even at the old that needs to

be cleared away, i kept thinking about what a continual process it is.  this grace,

life, refining.  i'm thankful for it.  as i thought, one of my favorite songs began &

it was perfect for the moment.  a thousand times i've failed, still your mercy remains. 

should i stumble again, still i'm caught in your grace.  i'll fail every day [every

hour] and while that doesn't give me some free pass, i'm so grateful that i don't

have to be perfect.  i can't be.  why would i need God if i were?

and my favorite part of the song:  your will above all else, my purpose remains 

the art of losing myself in bringing you praise.  an old friend wrote recently & 

i appreciated her honesty so much.  she said that before she knew God the

way she does now, she thought my life [from a distance] seemed quite fake.  i get that.

we, Christians, aren't necessarily supposed to be living lives that look normal

to the world.  that will look different for every family.  that line in the song

is all i want...to lose myself in order to bring Him praise. 

so thankful for new life & sunshine today.  to be with my family & rest

as we start this new week.  two little boys on the other side of the world

recently found out that they have a family that loves them & is working

very hard to try to bring them home.  that [and their response!] makes my

heart very, very happy.  yet, it is heavy, too, for our children's birth country

right now.  it is in turmoil right now & we are praying for peace there.

in addition to wanting peace for these precious people, this has caused delays

and problems for families already in-country there. this has potential to add to

the emotional & financial stress that can come with adoption. it is hard to watch

people step out in faith & then have to fight these battles, but i know it is so worth it. 

i know that He can use it for strengthening and growing and refining as we all wait.

i am so beyond excited to see each person that has linked up & committed 

to a party in May for Anika.  our kids are asking quite often if she has found her family

yet. feel free to continue spreading the word, as i just know her family is out there.

the first 30 people have signed up!  can you be next? maybe she could

benefit from your regular bunco night, a night of home made desserts with your girlfriends,

a sack lunch play date at the park, a cinco de Mayo get together!

if you missed yesterday's post, there is a video that should answer any questions

you might have about how this all works. 

praying for each of you!

happy new week!

that frame says,

live your story.

[go!]