Grace
Sunday, July 08, 2007
After three weeks of trying to write a newsletter, I have been praying for a topic, song, or experience to write on and nothing has transpired. Every time I sit down to write, I get a few thoughts down on paper and then it ends. They don’t seem to connect. Well tonight I was sitting at my computer emailing some friends when the phone rang. A precious friend was on the other end and after talking with her for about half an hour, I had to type up what was on my heart. God’s grace – so here goes…
Grace- We would all recognize the song Amazing Grace but do we really see how absolutely amazing God’s grace to us really is. John Bradford said the infamous quote of “There but by the grace of God, go I”. God has been really teaching me about His grace and how left to my own thoughts and actions, I deserve nothing better than hell. But only by God’s grace do I get to spend eternity in heaven because of nothing I have done but of what Jesus Christ has done for me. More than twenty years ago, I accepted Christ as my Savior at a vacation bible school but it wasn’t until years later at a friend’s funeral that I also made Christ Lord of my life. I surrendered my ALL to Him. Everyone serves some kind of master whether it be money, what people think, themselves, worry, society, etc. but the only master that is fair and just is the Lord Jesus Christ.
Even with Christ in my heart and life, I still make choices that go against what God’s word says. That is where God’s grace plays a huge role. Because of those choices, I have to live with the consequences but they don’t affect where I will spend eternity. The grace that God offers has taught me so much about His gentleman-like characteristics. How easily I stumble, but the hand of God is always there to help me back on my feet. My dad and I used to sing a Twila Paris song when I was little called “The Warrior is a Child”. Even as hard as the battle is, and as tired as the warrior gets from fighting, God is always there to wipe away the tears and lend a hand.
I can honestly say that this summer has been too short and tiring. I chose to watch children six out of the seven weeks of summer vacation. So I have had between 5 – 10 children, ages 3 to 8 years old, on a daily basis from 6:30am to 4:30pm all by myself while trying to get work done in my office for the upcoming preschool year. I have come home in the evenings with little energy to do things around the house but still needing to get things done. Friends and former students have also desired a piece of my time, so between three Bible Studies per week, bread runs, and trips to the movies at night, I am living like I am on summer break but still having to get up at 5:45am every morning. Again only by the grace of God have I been able to build friendships, help parents out, and spend some time having fun. God has truly blessed me with some absolutely amazing friends this summer who have taught me what it looks like to be authentic and captivating.
So with all that said, I sit here tonight amazed by God’s grace- that it is not by my strength but by His. God chooses to use us even when we feel unusable. God delights in our hearts that are filled with worship to Him. And we are truly beautiful in His sight because He created us with that beauty.
As I close out this letter… I apologize that it has taken me so long to write. I desire to know what is going on in each of your lives. If you have prayer concerns or just want to chat feel free to email me back or call. I am also on facebook (finally) and myspace. Just use my email address!!!!
Much love and God’s blessings,
Angela
