Grace For Every Step

A Peek into my life this week

As a pastor’s wife I am blessed to serve alongside my husband as he lives out his call as a shepherd.  Sometimes that means waiting at home while he is gone on ministry calls.  Other times I’m blessed to be with him and help in that shepherding.  Such has been the case this week.

As he ministered to folks this week at a funeral, a burial, a surgery, and in the hospital waiting room, I had a “front row seat” to watch believers live out the message that he preached on Sunday.  Part of the message text was

John 1:16 ~ And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

My husband demonstrated as he walked that God gives grace for this step, and then the next step and the next.  That is the grace, upon grace, upon grace.

When you come alongside folks who are grieving, and others who are awaiting an uncertain diagnosis afterward surgery, and you see the peace of God rule in their hearts giving victory over the rush of emotions, you know you are witnessing grace upon grace.

When you can hear quiet laughter even while tears are fresh on bereaved cheeks, you understand that here, too, is the grace upon grace.

While it’s difficult to see folks suffering, it was a blessing to watch that grace being lived out in their lives.  That same grace is also evident as I watch my shepherd-husband care for his hurting sheep and minister to them in their trials.

I don’t know what you’re facing today, but the Shepherd of your soul does, and He will give to you the grace needed for the next move you need to take…and the next…and the next.  Grace upon grace upon grace.  Look for it, and rejoice in its sufficiency for each step.

How have you seen God’s grace demonstrated recently?

Stay refreshed in your walk.

With love,

His self-esteem is nothing.  He has been told he couldn’t hold a job or even concentrate on anything long enough to bring home a paycheck.  Anywhere.  He has believed that he could not push a broom or flip a burger or wash a car.  His dependency is to rely on the government to provide for him instead.  But it isn’t true.

I’m talking about a young man who has been talked to and beaten down with words all his life.  In the short time we have known him, my husband and I are amazed at his mind, his ability to communicate with anyone, and his growing knowledge of God’s love for him, a new  Christian, still young in his faith.

My heart leaped for joy recently when I heard this young man say to us, “When I buy my car, I’m going to drive over to your house (after I get done with work) and show it to you!”  

Wait a minute!  He said he was going to buy a car and go to work?!  How did he get to the place that he could make that statement?  It came by the same means that his wrong thinking had come – through words.  But these weren’t words that tear down, these were words of encouragement, given to him by my husband.  These were Words of Truth from God’s Word.  Powerful, wonderful words.

WORDS.

They can change a life.

They can lift a stooping heart.

Proverbs 12:25 

Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

They can also destroy.

James 3:5,6

 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

So, who will you be talking to today?  Your husband, child, co-worker, friend, parent, a stranger?  What kind of words will you give?  How will you know what to say?  Ask for the right words from the One Who gives us His Word to teach us.

Colossians 4:6 

Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, 

that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Please understand that I’m not talking about syrupy words that won’t ever tell the truth in love. Sometimes straight-talk with a tender heart is necessary.  But I’m talking about using our speech wisely – seasoned with “grace and salt.”

Our words are plentiful, but let’s make sure we’re using them in the right way so that we build up and encourage rather than tear down and destroy!

Lovingly,