When Grace is an Atmosphere…#GraceMoments Link up

When our days are spent in the pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty, we become those who choose wisdom as our passion and embrace the power of grace in our journey.  If we are willing, if we are observant, if we make a choice to attend closely… we see His handiwork engraved upon our stories.

“Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Hebrews 13:1-2

And these stories always involve people, beating hearts that are plodding down the road seeking the same solace and rest. Like-minded pilgrims are part of the blessing He brings, which surrounds us like a cloud. Witnesses that urge us on and cheer loudly the anthem of hope by reflecting His faithfulness upon our path, and then we know we are not alone as we go. We find encouragement in the company of many and the uplifting that buying time together extends.

“Therefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and sin which so easily clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” -Hebrews 12:1

This week as I stood on a platform, with a painted glass prism halo behind, I saw the faithfulness of the Father and the power of answered prayer manifesting before my eyes. And this testimony of hope, it was a signature of promise that He often allows us to see daily…even every minute…if we take time to look for it. I have been praying for this space, this group of hearts, and these words for months…trusting God to meet us in the need that would be presented, which of course, He did.

Because He is faithful…He often gives us more than we expect, above what we believe,  and beyond what we know.  With the simple grace of hospitality, He changes our today and impacts our tomorrow.

As I sat, cross-legged on a carpeted tile in front of a stone hearth of ashes from past days of gathering… I was invited close into the heart of a home that has been built on a timeless love for others. No matter where I go, those who open their homes and host strangers with diligent service, there I am blessed. Yet, this week, as I slowly found a space to unwind in thought and prayer with a kindred heart,  I found myself stepping right into the place I have asked Him to prepare for me…a place of Sabbath Rest as I chose to obey Him no matter how it looked.

In the mornings, as the light spilled in, a verse of song covered my time at the table. These words greeted me first when I traveled over a threshold of grace extended wide. I was reminded that He knows the words that speak to the deep places in me with the promises He has written on my soul. These words are a vitamin of courage and counsel through the wandering my days have counted on the journey, and every time I see them lately they are a reminder of His faithfulness.

Scripture became a welcome message in every corner and nook, and I felt as if I was cocooned in a blanket of truth. A necessary insulation for the way plans seem to falter and moments seem to slip by unedited, unplanned, undefined. When things seemed to be contrary, He revealed that His plan was perfect and He alone is the portion and cup of blessing. When that cup is full, He calls us to pour it out.

“The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.” – Psalm 15:5-6

The continual revealing of His handiwork, the providence of his wisdom evident and securely positioned for an appointed time, were reminders of His gentle attendance to my own heart with every entrance I found myself walking through.  I found that the union of fellowship is more about connecting in the place He provides rather than the geography of temporal dwelling.  Even in momentary meetings, we can connect and deposit eternity wherever we are.

Because when grace is an atmosphere, God’s love becomes our testimony.

His peace became a mantle that possessed each heart in a gentle understanding of  being heard, being seen,and being known by the One who directs their steps.  And through corporate discovery of wonder and awe, hearts were being changed to step into obedience and surrender with the things they held dear. I can count the moments of grace this week in multiples, remembering to thank Him for allowing the chance to see His faithfulness reach out and mend and restore the journey for others.  I am humbled and encouraged by the way those who choose to serve are also equipped through the atmosphere of service. I was inspired to continue learning more about this journey of making space for more at our tables and in our free spaces.  Hospitality provokes us to bask in the wonder of God, the justice of grace and the humility of His love.

Because we have the power to bless others, the hospitality of grace is a calling we can embrace, and it opens doors for us to invite the wonder of justice, mercy, and humility together.

Each day is a new step of discovery. Each day is a new awareness of the blessings which are already ours. Each day is a new invitation to  possess the mundane in our moments. And each day reveals a gentle listening for the murmur of hope.

Changed by the wonder of choosing to trust, because I have also been learning to rest in the sovereignty of His goodness, I was humbled by the freedom to share pieces of stories I held dear. Amazed by the way He wove beauty into hearts seeking hope, because obedience teaches us to rehearse His wonder with every word, I found that joy was just waiting to be discovered in the simple grace of hospitality. Reminded that recording these moments is not just a responsibility but a privilege,  because He calls us to remember to count our blessings,  I am prompted to ask again: How are you recording the #gracemoments you are finding today, friend?  We need to put them down plainly so that we can read them and be reminded of where He has brought us from and where we are going to.

IT’S YOUR TURN TO BE A GRACE COUNTER!  SHARE YOUR GRACE MOMENT IN THE COMMENTS BELOW AND THEN COUNT GRACE WITH A FRIEND WITH COMMENT ON A BLOG OR TWO.

If you are a blogger, link up here with  a post about finding grace moments in your life or one of your favorite inspiring and encouraging posts from this week. Share your thoughts in the comment section telling me about the #Grace Moments you experienced this week. *(only 1 post per link please)*

Take time to visit your neighbor next to you, and if you want visit a few more friends on the journey. We all need a little encouragement and affirmation as we travel together.

If you don’t have a blog, you can connect with me via my Journeys in Grace FB page by sharing a photo or a comment.  Or you can join the party by sharing your images on Instagram with #Gracemoments hashtag.

Each week I will  try visit as many of your amazing  posts as I can.This is a safe place to sit and dwell in grace together, friends. I can’t wait to pour a cup of friendship with you and take in the grace moments you have to share. Don’t forget to leave a comment below, I love to hear from you.