Today was a typical spring day… wet, cold and unstable.

I spent much of it behind the wheel of the car making sure my people arrived to and from their destinations in one piece.   Some of the day’s events were planned, while others were a result of necessity. It seems that something usually can and does often deter from the original plans I plan.

But in the midst of the pandemonium… when one child was practicing, another was getting off work, and still another had an appointment and I was trying to navigate transportation for each one…I had a rare moment of quiet.

I won’t say it was peaceful, to be truthful I was less than still in the waiting that I found myself employed in. But I found myself doing something I haven’t really sat down to do in a long time; I wrote.

It wasn’t a blog post or a project or idea.  I just sat down to write words as they spilled out effortlessly and I remembered how much I loved to write. And I can’t remember the last time I found myself writing just for fun.But today, I  put pen to paper and scratched ink across in curves and lines with thoughts and wonderings and prayers and, of course, always looking for grace. I found a bit of joy in the journey, even though it was busy.

I think we forget the things we love when we get busy, doing so much that we lose sight of what we are called to.  We forget to look right into the face of the Father and connect with the grace He offers us. It reminded me of why I write to you, why I chose to invite you near to my virtual table of communion each week. This community was born out of a desire to lend grace your way, to be a pause on the journey where you would be greeted, prayed for, and sent on built up in  grace.

Of the 12 books authored by Paul, did you know that each one has both a Salutation of Grace and a Benediction of Grace?

Charis, the favor of God extended from one to another is the word that filters through Paul’s letters. But I think perhaps my favorite phrase is the way he addresses the recipients of this faithfulness. Beloved.

…to all who are beloved of God… called to be saints: Grace (charis) to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. – Romans 1:7

Beloved of God, we all need to remember to usher grace and peace to one another on the journey.  So many of us are just barely getting by that we fail to fill up on this free gift He lavishes upon us. Peace is always the byproduct of His Presence.

When we allow grace to build us and peace to bind us hope flows out of us in streams of abundance.

It is the time of year when appointments and calendars are filling fast.  We are planning for the end of school, graduations, and vacations.  There is excitement for what is to come and maybe, for some, a hesitation for what is being left behind.

Yet, in the midst of it all, we need a large heaping dose of grace.

I found this reminder from Ephesians 1 today, a petition that puts everything in perspective. We need to grow in wisdom, to have the knowledge of God revealed to our hearts repeatedly, to become light bearers who are filled with hope and to be set apart by the glory of God that draws us closer and closer to His throne. We are called to truly know the surpassing greatness of His power extended toward us… the resurrecting life-filling soul-winning gospel anointed power that is found in the midst of His Word …as we speak it and pray it and believe it.

Ultimately what I want you to find here, at the #gracemoments link up each week, is a pause from the journey and a rest where you know that you are prayed for.  A brief respite and a reminder that you are the beloved of God.  May you be entreated to receive his favor and be filled with the peace that passes all understanding as you wait a while in his presence.

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers.

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him:

The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from he dead, and set Him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this world but that which is to come:

And has put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

Which is His body, the fullness of Him that fills all in all.

Ephesians 1:15-23

 

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.

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An InLinkz Link-up