My Strength

The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
Psalm 118:14

Thanking Him for these gifts. . .

336.  Breezy afternoons
337.  Chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream
338.  Giggles and practical jokes
339.  Freshly mopped kitchen floor
340.  Roses, impatiens and marigolds
341.  Worshiping together with a new church
342.  Knowing I am never really alone
343.  On a whim, spending an evening at the beach with my kids, making memories
344.  Hearing the word that refreshes the weary
345.  Seeing videos of my childhood home, remembering the beauty

In His strength,

A repost

I was meandering through some older posts and ran into this one.  It's a favorite.  Anything about grace tends to capture my attention.  Because I need to think about this again, I'm reposting. . .

Sunday morning, my pastor used a phrase that captured my attention.

He said we live in "an atmosphere of grace."  

Atmosphere of Grace

This is more than just a cool phrase.

What does this mean?

What does it look like?

How does it feel?

Quite honestly, I'm still trying to understand this concept.  

But I know it's true.  This is something God has been impressing on me for a while. 

This is reality:  I live in grace.

After spending years in performance-based religion, an atmosphere of grace sounds so inviting.  Like you can lean back, relax, let go of fear and just be yourself.  

It's safe.  No one is going to get mad at you and reject you for failing.  Your immaturities and imperfections are noticed, but not magnified.  You are loved through them. You are seen wearing His righteousness.

You are trusted.  You are believed in.  Your life matters.  

"In Him we live and move and have our being."  Acts 17:28

Living in an atmosphere of grace is really just living in Jesus, because He is grace.  

But the "living in" part is what I'm slowly discovering.  Not mere words or abstract ideas, but what it truly means in the daily reality of my life.  I want to understand what it looks like, how it works.  I want to see and touch it, to experience this fully.

If you have experienced this, then I invite you to share your stories of what living in grace looks like to you and how it's affecting your life.

 Wondering,

Filtered Light

Sometimes the sun gets blocked.  There are only glimpses of light shining through.  Often I find myself frustrated, wanting to know more, wanting wide open spaces where I can see everything laid out in front, making it easier to control.  Or so it seems.

But control is an illusion and God loves me too much to lay such a  heavy burden on me.  So He gives light for one step only, just for today.  And when I relax and trust Him, I begin to see the beauty of filtered light.  


Resting in these gifts. . .


326.  Roses blooming outside my kitchen window.
327.  Enduring and faithful promises that hold true day after day, year after year.
328.  Encouraging words from saints of long ago
329.  Food in my pantry and fridge
330.  Being reminded that the most important things in life are invisible
331.  Affectionate hugs from my kids
332.  Clean dishes
333.  Tiramisu 
334.  Smiles from a kindred spirit
335.  Joy that bubbles up in a heart at rest.


"The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever."  Isaiah 32.17

Still Waters

"You lead me beside still waters.  You restore my soul." 
Psalm 23:2,3

In the hectic, busyness of the day, taking a quiet moment to lean in hard against His strength and grace, I breathe.  

"...in quietness and trust is your strength."  Isaiah 30:15 

Peace flows in with the Living Water.  And as my soul quiets down, trust grows and I gain perspective.

Seeing His love through these gifts. . .

316.  Meeting new friends.
317.  Mango-darjeeling tea.
318.  Praying with a sister.
319.  Arepas con queso and a movie
320.  Pouring out and receiving back more than I have given
321.  Having the house all to myself for one night.
322.  Being greeted at the door by a bundle of furry affection
323.  Laughing till the stomach aches and the tears flow.
324.  Leaving a heavy burden in His hands and hearing His word to me, reminding me He cares for even these.
325.  A long drive on a quiet, moonlit night.




Being still,

Satisfied

For  he satisfies the longing soul,

and fills the hungry soul with good things.

Psalm 107:9

Giving thanks for these good things:

306.  Gifts from another country

307.  Tax-free weekend for school supply shopping

308.  Dark chocolate

309.  The hope and confidence of a good future

310.  My girl's generosity in donating her long hair to Locks of Love

311.  The smile in her eyes seeing her new cute hairstyle

312.   New friendships

313.  Affectionate touch when it's most needed

314.  Air conditioning

315.  God's gentle answer to the unasked question of my heart

Tasting His goodness,

Art by I. Lilias Trotter

(In)courage

(In)courage is having some awesome giveaways to celebrate their first anniversary.  For the next month, they are giving away a gift each day.  Fun!

Happy

You have made known to me the path of life;

You fill me with joy in Your presence

With eternal pleasures at Your right hand.

Psalm 16:11

Enjoying His presence and these pleasures. . .

295.  Strawberry-banana-mango-blueberry smoothie

296.  Sharing laughter with a good friend

297.  An unexpected cool breeze in Florida in August

298.  The smell of coffee brewing early in the morning

299.  Songs that make my heart sing

300.  Scent of my girl's freshly-washed hair while I brush it

301.  Encouraging words from my sister

302.  Feeling God's favor and affection

303.  Flowers on my kitchen table

304.  Working things out to the hugs and laughter.

With joy,