A mid summer’s night, with brilliant colors making their last appearance, defined grace that evening. The mountains provided a backdrop for a grace story to transform. In looking further, you would see three people gathering on the porch of a log cabin, standing or sitting in wooden rockers, watching God’s final goodbye to the day as the colors faded across the sky. The three people were family and their stories intersected more closely as the conversation opened hearts, minds and souls to accepting grace.
When hearts open and spill out the mess that has marked each person, many things could happen. The mess could be swept back up neatly as if it didn’t exist to begin with or it could be acknowledged and transformed into a beautiful beginning.
This was my story of grace. My mess was unwrapped one piece at a time and redeemed through forgiveness and grace. My past was not welcome to remain in the present. As part of my family gathered around me, I poured out each messy piece that seemed unforgivable and I was met in a loving embrace woven with prayer. This is grace defined. This is God taking our brokenness and showing us we are a new creation. What once was old has become new!
[Tweet “God takes our brokenness and redeems us with His grace. #Advent #grace #story”]
Grace is a gift. It is a washing away of the past and becoming new. Grace is new beginnings. Max Lucado has written about grace. Here is one of his perspectives.
I said “yes” to grace that summer evening and in return my past mistakes were erased by forgiveness. In this time of preparation, we have a choice to make. A decision as to whether we want this grace gift in our own lives. A reckoning with ourselves and God that His love is the best gift we could ever receive. Grace defined me and erased my past so I could walk freely into the future.
Will you take some time today to allow God to embrace your hurt and brokenness? Will you let Him cover you with His healing grace and love?
I am praying for all of you today as we journey toward Christmas. May you give the past to God and walk into the future knowing you are forgiven and redeemed.
In grace and peace,
Mary
Mary, I’m so thankful you were able to be given and receive grace from God and from others. The story you share is beautiful in outlook and events. What a view you had and what a gift you were given!
These words from Max Lucado are still being worked out in my life as I surrender more to the Lord: “Grace comes after you. It rewires you. From insecure to God secure.”
I may never fully fathom God’s amazing gift of grace but I will always need it and be grateful beyond words for it! Blessings and hugs to you as you continue to open our eyes to the wonder of it all. 🙂 x
I know I will never fully understand grace either but the blessing of this gift goes beyond anything we can fathom. I want to be able to speak the words that I am “God secure”. Somedays I can do this but there are other days that I am floundering with saying those words with the faith I need.
That is why we need God’s grace. He makes us secure in our faith by pouring His grace on each of us to remind us that we are His. May we all experience the out pouring of God’s amazing grace. Blessings!
This is beautiful, Mary. I love Max’s quote … especially the part about “drenching grace.” That’s exactly what forgiveness is about.
Max’s quote really spoke to me too. Grace in any form, whether drenching or a few drops here and there, it is a gift that I pray everyone experiences. Thank you for being here Dianne and for blessing me with your kind words. Happy weekend!
Ah, the porch of a log cabin. Wooden rocking chairs. Mountains glorious. And grace and forgiveness flowing freely all around, bathing souls in love.
I’m there, friend. I am so there.
I wished I lived in that setting all the time but alas it was a visit to the mountains but such a beautiful one. Grace can show up anywhere and I am blessed it showed up that day this past summer.
Hoping your weekend has been slow, reflective and renewing!
Sweet, Mary, thank you for sharing this part of your story. I’m so thankful for His grace in your life and in mine. Max is right, grace can drench like a wild outpouring, but it can also come softly, like a whisper. However it comes, may we be open to receiving. Have a blessed week, my friend!
My story is only mine because God has blessed me with it. When grace is involved, I think it is fitting to share to remind others that God’s grace is a gift that He gives so lovingly. I love how you said that grace can come like a whisper. I have experienced that kind of grace too. Hope your week was blessed and your weekend has been one to treasure.
Trusting in God’s grace today. Thanks for sharing.
Blessed you stopped by. Praying your weekend has been wonderful!
I’ve had that type of gathering also – and, I too, am so thankful for His grace and theirs!
The grace and forgiveness of family is a beautiful thing. I’m glad you have experienced that too. Hope your weekend has been great!
I’m so grateful you have a family that embraced you in love and grace. Mary. I am grateful for God’s love and grace and wouldn’t be able to live without them, but I know I need to allow God to embrace those deeper parts of my hurt and brokenness. To allow His healing grace to enter into those parts that I have buried deep. Thank you for reminding me, Mary, that God is so willing to offer His grace and love if we let Him. That He is so willing to heal our brokenness.
The hardest part of the gift of grace for me is accepting it for myself. It is much easier to extend it to others than to ourselves. I pray that you are able to allow God’s healing grace to enter into those deepest broken places in your life and you feel His amazing grace. Blessings and hugs!
Amazing grace indeed, friend! And that Max Lucado quote…so so so good! “For it is by grace through faith that you have been saved, it is not your own doing, but a gift of God!” Amen!
Amen! God’s grace is such a beautiful gift. We are not good at accepting this gift from God and I know I am certainly not good at extending grace to myself. But God promises us grace and He showed that through the birth and life of His son Jesus. I am seeking Jesus this Advent and His gifts of grace and love. I pray we all turn our focus to these beautiful gifts. Blessings!
Yes, Amazing Grace it is!! I reflect on The Hound of Heaven on my heels until he finally plucked me up from a very wrong path! Amazing Grace how sweet it is! Lovely post and encouragement!
I am blessed by knowing God but even more by experiencing His amazing grace. I have been intentional this Advent season in soaking in God’s truths and learning again that His grace is new every morning. Thank you for being here! Blessings!